Irish - Ordinary

The syllabus has changed in recent years to place greater emphasis on spoken Irish so you should try and spend some time in the Gaeltacht if possible. It is worth practicing speaking Irish aloud as often as possible. You'll find some advice on preparing for your Oral on our blog.

Higher Level Course Content:

• AURAL - Comhrá (Conversation)
• AURAL - Phíosa Nuachta (News Pieces)
• AURALS - Fógra (Announcement)
• ORAL exam
• Poetry - An Spailpín Fánach
• Poetry - An tEarrach Thiar
• Poetry - Colscaradh
• Poetry - Géibheann
• Poetry - Mo Ghrá-sa
• Poetry, extra - A Chlann
• Poetry, extra - Caoineadh AUL
• Poetry, extra - Colmáin
• Poetry, extra - Eiceolai
• Poetry, extra - Fill Aris
• Prose - A thig Ná Tit Orm
• Prose - An Gnáthrud
• Prose - An Lasair Choille
• Prose - An Triail
• Prose - Cáca Milis
• Prose - Canary Wharf
• Prose - Dís
• Prose - Gafa
• Prose - Hurlamaboc
• Prose - Oisín i dTír na nÓg
• Prose - Tóraíocht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne
• Reading Comprehension
• Sraith Pictiúr 2023
• Sraith Pictiúr 2024
• Studied Poetry (Filiocht Roghnach)
• Studied Prose (Pros Roghnach)
• Write a Debate..
• Write a News/Magazine Article..
• Write a Story..
• Write an Essay..

Ordinary Level Course Content:

• AURAL - Comhrá (Conversation)
• AURAL - Píosa Nuachta (News Pieces)
• AURALS - Fógra (Announcement)
• ORAL exam
• Poetry - An Spailpín Fánach
• Poetry - An tEarrach Thiar
• Poetry - Colscaradh
• Poetry - Géibheann
• Poetry - Mo Ghrá-sa
• Prose - An Gnáthrud
• Prose - An Lasair Choille
• Prose - Cáca Milis
• Prose - Dís
• Prose - Hurlamaboc
• Prose - Oisín i dTír na n-Óg
• Reading Comprehension
• Sraith Pictiúr 2023
• Sraith Pictiúr 2024
• Write a blog..
• Write a Conversation..
• Write a Debate..
• Write a Letter/email...
• Write a Story..
• Write about a studied Folk Tale..
• Write about a studied poem (Roghnach)..
• Write about studied film/drama
• Write about Studied prose (roghnach)..
• Write an Essay...

Foundation Level Course Content:

• Fill in a Form..
• Match the pictures with text..
• Reading - A Brochure
• Reading - A Letter
• Reading - Extract
• Reading - Newspaper article
• Reading - Poem
• Sraith Pictiúr 2023
• Sraith Pictiúr 2024
• Write a letter..
• Write a Notice..
• Write a Story..
• Write from pictures..

The Exam

Ardleibheal/Higher Level

(i)   Bealtriail (The Oral/ speaking exam)  240 marks - 40%

(ii)  The Aural/listening exam. 60 marks - 10%

(iii)  Two written papers.  300 marks - 50%

Paper One - 100 marks

•  An Chluastuiscint (listening exam).
• Composition Section with a choice of an essay, a story, a newspaper article or a debate/speech  an Chluastuiscint (listening exam).

Paper Two - 200marks

• First, there are two reading comprehensions usually connected to cultural affairs, famous people, current affairs, etc.
• Then there are 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.
• Students must answer a poetry question, Filíocht Ainmnithe or Filíocht Roghnach.
• Drama/Biography/Short Stories/Bealoideas. You are required to write about an Irish language drama that you've studied

Gnathleibheal/Ordinary Level

(i) Bealtriail: The Oral exam is an important part of the exam. 240 marks - 40% 

(ii) The Aural/listening exam. 60 marks - 10%

(iii) There are two written papers (50%) - Paper one is worth 100 marks and paper two is worth 200 marks

Paper One – 100 marks

• An Chluastuiscint (listening exam)
• A Written Composition Section with a choice out of:  a letter, conversation, story or paragraph. Usually, these options are topics that you will have studied for the Oral exam.

Paper Two - 200 marks

• Two reading comprehensions, one usually about a famous person and the other about something to do with young people, current affairs etc.
• Questions on compulsory prose and poetry. Students must answer two questions from sections 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B.

Bonnleibheal/Foundation Level

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

Future Careers with Leaving Certificate Irish

Irish is a requirement for entry into a number of third-level courses. Future careers include Teaching, Translation, and working in Gaeltacht areas.

Download the Leaving Cert Irish Chief Examiner's Report  (2017)