Subject Group: Humanities
These subjects explore the ways in which humans live and communicate in the world. Human life is examined by looking at our past, our present and into our future. These subjects help people to express themselves clearly and develop their reasoning ability.
Third Level Entry Requirements Irish is a requirement for entry into a number of third level courses. Click on the link below to view courses that definitly requires, or may require this subject for entry:
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
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
(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.
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.
Data Sources: The information on these pages has been compiled from a variety of sources including the NCCA, Newbridge College / Brian Howard, Dept. of Education & Skills, and student interviews. Information in the 'People who took this subject' section reflects the views of those people interviewed on this website and is offered as informal and potentially useful information only.
While CareersPortal.ie attempts to keep this information as up to date and accurate as possible, we do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this information or decisions made on the basis of this information. Students should always discuss subject options with parents / guardians / guidance counsellors..
For Leaving Certificate I did the usual English, Irish, Maths, then Physics which I loved, Chemistry which I wasn’t great at (kept breaking stuff in the practicals), French, Geography and Music as an extra. I really enjoyed English actually, and even though a lot of my job involves computer programming and some hard maths and physics, I still rely heavily on my writing skills.
As important as it is to have technical ability in my job, it is still crucial to be able to communicate any results I find. One of the main tasks for me is to write papers for scientific journals, and occasionally to write articles for a more general audience.
My French is also useful because I collaborate with several people from a lab in Paris and they like if I make an effort to speak a bit of French, even though my accent is very embarrassing!
My Leaving Cert subjects were as follows: English, Irish, Maths, French (obligatory subjects. My choice subjects were: Accounting, Physics & Chemistry. I did all honours subjects and I think doing honours Maths and English especially really help.
English is not immediately obvious when one thinks of a career in Engineering, but from the point of view of report writing and corresponding with team members and even customers via email etc, it is a very important skill to master.
I was not 100% sure of my career path at the time of choosing the above mentioned "choice-subjects". My way of thinking was, one business subject, one science and another one that I thought I might like or be good at. Physics, Chemistry and Accounting all have a common theme of maths and problem solving, this was my link into Electronic Engineering... In hindsight, had some form of technology or electronics courses been available in my school, I think these might have been helpful. I'm not sure which subject I would have replaced though!
Irish, English, Maths, German, Business, Accounting, Physics. German and Accounting influenced me the most; they were my main reasons for doing Commerce and German in college.
I liked accounting in college and school and I thought it was a natural progression then to train in an accounting practice.
My Leaving Cert subjects were Irish, English, Maths, French, Chemistry, Biology and Business Organisation. My main interest was science so I chose two science subjects and one business related subject to keep things interesting.
My subjects were appropriate for my University course except I was required to take Physics in the first year. This was quite challenging not having taken Physics to Leaving Cert but not impossible. I don't think I would do anything differently if I had to repeat the process.
In school we had to choose our Leaving Cert subjects just before the Junior Cert. At this stage I had no idea what I wanted to do as a profession but I knew I wanted to go to College.
In order to keep my options open I chose a mix of subjects to include one language, one science subject and one business subject. In addition to the obligatory English, Irish & Maths I therefore studied French, Biology, Geography & Accounting. I chose these particular subjects as I had an interest in them at Junior Cert level.
I suppose Biology was the most relevant of my subjects when I started college as there was some overlap with Anatomy and Physiology. We also studied research and statistics in college which were Maths related.
For my Leaving Certificate I studied the three compulsory subjects: English, Irish and Maths. I had a great interest in science so I chose to do two science subjects - Biology and Chemistry. I wanted to keep as many options open as possible as I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do on leaving school so I chose one business subject - Economics and I chose a language - French, in order to keep all the universities open also.
In hindsight I think this was a good selection of subjects as it kept a lot of doors open while also allowing me to chose subjects I liked and did well in. I eventually went on to do a science degree so my 2 Leaving Certificate science subjects came in handy. Once I had my degree this allowed me to teach and subsequently do my postgraduate in Guidance Counselling.
I did the following subjects for my Leaving Cert: Irish, English, Maths, French, Physics, Chemistry, Accounting and Applied Maths.
When choosing my subjects in 5th year in School I deliberately ensured that I did at least one business and one science subject because this gave me more flexibility in my choice of courses. I would recommend this strategy - particularly for those who aren't sure what they wish to study in college.
For my Leaving Cert. I took Maths - higher, Applied Maths - higher, Physics - higher, Chemistry - higher, Music - higher, English - higher, German - higher, Irish - ordinary As you can see my abilities and interests were more in the maths+science sphere than anything else.
I was very lucky that at the time Mt. Temple had very capable maths+science teachers, which certainly made things easier for me. To be honest, in school I didn't really think about 3rd level or careers or anything until I was in 6th year (by which stage I'd already picked my subjects). I just picked the subjects I enjoyed and felt I had a natural knack for.
For the career I'm in now I don't think I could have picked better school subjects. It might have helped me to know a bit more about business-related subjects, but I had no interest in accountancy or commerce at the time.
I am considering taking an evening course in the legal+financial aspects to running a business to make up for this. However, as a teenager I think I was better off studying subjects that I had a genuine interest in, otherwise I would have found it very hard to motivate myself to study.
Irish, English, Maths, Accountancy, Biology, Physics, French, Social & Scientific.
As already stated, my initial goal was accountancy following the Leaving Cert. The accountancy covered by the Leaving Cert was very beneficial during my first year at college. However I don't believe I had the personality to become an accountant.
Moving to my later choice of Nursing, I believe that biology was essential as it is a major part of nursing studies from the start. I also believe that experience at work itself will further one's career and may in fact lead to a change further down the career pathway.
In school apart from the three basics of English, Irish and Maths I also took German, Accounting, Physics and Chemistry. Although Physics and Chemistry were not needed to get into the engineering course it was beneficial to have them as we had to take these subjects in first year.
However, I did not do technical drawing so I had to start this from scratch in first year of college so most people have at least one subject that they have never done before.
