Irish

Not Optional

It is advisable for students who wish to do Higher level to have obtained at least a Higher Merit in the Junior Cycle Exam. The course is taught in conjunction with the four main skills of learning a language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Higher Level/Ardleibheal

1. Bealtriail: The Oral exam is an important part of the exam. 240mks (40%)
2. The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks (10%)
3. There are two written papers.  300 mks (50%)

Paper one – 160 mks

A) The Aural/Listening exam is the first part of Paper 1.

B) Composition Section with a choice from the following: Write either an essay/an article for a newspaper, story or a debate/speech. (100 mks)

Paper Two – 200 mks

Two reading comprehensions usually connected to cultural affairs, famous people, current affairs, etc. (100 mks)

Questions on compulsory prose and poetry.

There are four stories and one film/drama on the prose course which are also on the ordinary level paper.
There is a question on a theme or character or an aspect of the story or film. (30 Mks)

There are five poems on the course with one printed on the paper. These poems are also on the ordinary level paper. Questions seek out the student’s insight and opinion on the poem. (30 Mks)

Extra Literature : Students study one of the following Drama/Biography/short stories/bealoideas/additional poetry

The candidate is required to write about an Irish language drama that they have studied

Here in the college we study “An Triail” a drama with contemporary themes. Students are brought to a production of the drama during the two years. (40 Mks)

Students attempting Higher level are advised to go to the Gaeltacht.

Gnathleibheal/Ordinary Level

1. Bealtriail: The Oral exam is an important part of the exam. 240 mks (40%)
2. The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks
3. There are two written papers. 300 mks

Paper one – 160 mks

A) The Aural/Listening exam is the first part of Paper 1.

B) Composition Section with a choice from the following: Write 2 of the following: Blog/short passage, story, letter/email or conversation. (100 mks)
Paper Two - 200 mks

Two reading comprehensions, one usually about a famous person and the other about something to do with young people, current affairs etc. (100 mks)

Questions on compulsory prose and poetry.

There are four stories and one film/drama on the prose course. Students are required to know a summary of the story/film and discuss a theme or character. They must answer two questions. (50 mks)

There are five poems on the course with two printed on the paper. The questions are generally about a theme, a feeling, an explanation of a line or did you enjoy the poem, etc.

Bonnleibheal/Foundation Level

This course examines all four aspects of the language: oral, listening, reading comprehension, and written.

There is one written paper only and this is very similar to Junior Cert Ordinary level consisting mostly of reading comprehension and written questions.

There are no prescribed prose or poetry sections in this course. However, students may be asked questions about an unseen poem.

The listening part of the exam occurs at the same time as the written paper.

The oral takes place in March/April time with other oral and practical exams.