Irish is a requirement for entry into a number of third level courses and is a compulsory subject in all State schools generally for students born and educated in Ireland.
Click on the link below to view courses that definitly requires, or may require this subject for entry:
CAO Entry Requirements (Higher Level)
CAO Entry Requirements (Ordinary Level)
CAO Entry Requirements (Foundation Level)
[Source: Qualifax]
Note: Click on course titles to view the exact requirements for each course listed.
To gain entry to any NUI College (UCD, UCD, NUIG, NUIM) you must pass Irish in the Leaving Cert. However, there are a few exceptions if you are eligible for an exemption including (1) if you were born outside Ireland (2) if your last three years of second level education where outside Ireland (3) if your primary level of education up to age 11 was outside Ireland. (4) some students have been granted an exemption from the school on the grounds of dyslexia. If this applies to you will need to inform NUI of this, there is a form for this that you will get from nui.ie when you include your CAO number.
Leaving Certificate Exam Tips:
NOTE: From 2012 onwards the value of the Leaving Certificate oral exam has risen from 25% (150 marks) to 40% (240 marks). (Ref DES S.90/10).
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
Watch Video advice for students sitting the oral Irish test for the Leaving Cert
Ardleibheal/Higher Level
Last year 16,669 students sat the Higher Level paper. It is advisable for students who wish to do Higher level to have obtained at least a C but preferably a B in Junior Cert Higher level.
The course is taught in conjunction with the four main skills of learning a language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
(i) Bealtriail (The Oral exam) is an important part of the exam 240 mks (40%) from 2012 onwards).
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
(ii) The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks (10%)
(iii) There are two written papers. 300 mks (50%)
Paper one - 100mks
A) Composition Section with a choice from the following: Write either an essay, a story, an article for a newspaper or a debate/speech.
B) Two reading comprehensions usually connected to cultural affairs, famous people, current affairs, etc.
Paper Two - 200mks
This firstly consists of 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.
There are five poems printed on the paper. These poems are also on the ordinary level paper but the standard of answering expected is more detailed. There are eight additional higher level poems on the course.
Drama/Biography/short stories/bealoideas
The candidate is required to write about an Irish language drama that they have studied
Also, the student must answer a question on the History of the Irish language and literature.
Students attempting Higher level are advised to go to the Ghaeltacht.
Gnathleibheal/Ordinary Level
Last year over 23,000 students sat the ordinary level paper.
(i) Bealtriail: The Oral exam is an important part of the exam. 240 mks (40%) (From 2012 onwards)
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
(ii) The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks (10%)
(iii) There are two written papers - P 1:100 mks P2 200mks (50%)
Paper one – 100 mks
A Written Composition Section with a choice out of the following:
Write a letter, conversation, story or a paragraph. Usually the letter and paragraph options are topics that are prepared also for the Oral exam.
There are also two reading comprehensions, one usually about a famous person and the other about something to do with young people, current affairs etc.
Paper Two - 200 mks
This firstly consists of 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 also discuss a theme or character. They must answer two questions and there is a choice between two in each case.
Three out of the five poems are printed on the paper. Students must answer two questions on the poems. The questions are generally about a theme, a feeling, an explanation of a line or did you enjoy the poem, etc.
Bunleibheal/Foundation Level.
Last year nearly 4,000 students sat the foundation level paper. The main part of this course is Listening and speaking. There is one written paper only and this is very similar to Junior Cert Ordinary level consisting mostly of reading comprehension. There are no prescribed prose or poetry sections in this course. However students may be asked questions about an unseen poem.
Click on the link below to view courses that definitly requires, or may require this subject for entry:
CAO Entry Requirements (Higher Level)
CAO Entry Requirements (Ordinary Level)
CAO Entry Requirements (Foundation Level)
[Source: Qualifax]
Note: Click on course titles to view the exact requirements for each course listed.
To gain entry to any NUI College (UCD, UCD, NUIG, NUIM) you must pass Irish in the Leaving Cert. However, there are a few exceptions if you are eligible for an exemption including (1) if you were born outside Ireland (2) if your last three years of second level education where outside Ireland (3) if your primary level of education up to age 11 was outside Ireland. (4) some students have been granted an exemption from the school on the grounds of dyslexia. If this applies to you will need to inform NUI of this, there is a form for this that you will get from nui.ie when you include your CAO number.
Leaving Certificate Exam Tips:
NOTE: From 2012 onwards the value of the Leaving Certificate oral exam has risen from 25% (150 marks) to 40% (240 marks). (Ref DES S.90/10).
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
Watch Video advice for students sitting the oral Irish test for the Leaving Cert
- Preparation is the key to success. There are three sections in the Irish paper: oral, written and aural.
- In preparing for the oral exam you could record yourself on an iPod and listen to your voice so you become more comfortable with it. Likewise, as you travel to and from school you could listen to an Irish CD. Getting used to the different dialects is essential.
- For the written exam, write paragraphs regularly and time yourself to practice for the exam. Extending your vocabulary and learning new phrases should become part of your daily preparation.
- A large proportion of the marks for story/essay is for correct grammer and spelling so if you don't know how to say it, then avoid it.
- In every study session practice past papers and check your answers. It is important to plan your answers making sure you are aware of the marking scheme.
Ardleibheal/Higher Level
Last year 16,669 students sat the Higher Level paper. It is advisable for students who wish to do Higher level to have obtained at least a C but preferably a B in Junior Cert Higher level.
The course is taught in conjunction with the four main skills of learning a language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
(i) Bealtriail (The Oral exam) is an important part of the exam 240 mks (40%) from 2012 onwards).
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
(ii) The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks (10%)
(iii) There are two written papers. 300 mks (50%)
Paper one - 100mks
A) Composition Section with a choice from the following: Write either an essay, a story, an article for a newspaper or a debate/speech.
B) Two reading comprehensions usually connected to cultural affairs, famous people, current affairs, etc.
Paper Two - 200mks
This firstly consists of 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.
There are five poems printed on the paper. These poems are also on the ordinary level paper but the standard of answering expected is more detailed. There are eight additional higher level poems on the course.
Drama/Biography/short stories/bealoideas
The candidate is required to write about an Irish language drama that they have studied
Also, the student must answer a question on the History of the Irish language and literature.
Students attempting Higher level are advised to go to the Ghaeltacht.
Gnathleibheal/Ordinary Level
Last year over 23,000 students sat the ordinary level paper.
(i) Bealtriail: The Oral exam is an important part of the exam. 240 mks (40%) (From 2012 onwards)
To view the set of twenty picture sequences which will be used in the 2013 Oral Irish Examination (Higher and Ordinary Level) Click here.
(ii) The Aural/listening exam. 60 mks (10%)
(iii) There are two written papers - P 1:100 mks P2 200mks (50%)
Paper one – 100 mks
A Written Composition Section with a choice out of the following:
Write a letter, conversation, story or a paragraph. Usually the letter and paragraph options are topics that are prepared also for the Oral exam.
There are also two reading comprehensions, one usually about a famous person and the other about something to do with young people, current affairs etc.
Paper Two - 200 mks
This firstly consists of 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 also discuss a theme or character. They must answer two questions and there is a choice between two in each case.
Three out of the five poems are printed on the paper. Students must answer two questions on the poems. The questions are generally about a theme, a feeling, an explanation of a line or did you enjoy the poem, etc.
Bunleibheal/Foundation Level.
Last year nearly 4,000 students sat the foundation level paper. The main part of this course is Listening and speaking. There is one written paper only and this is very similar to Junior Cert Ordinary level consisting mostly of reading comprehension. There are no prescribed prose or poetry sections in this course. However students may be asked questions about an unseen poem.