Visit to the Donegal Gaeltacht
Irish Department
- Mrs E Pearson (Head of Department)
- Mr P Donnelly
- Mr H Byrne
What will I study?
Bliain 8/Year 8 | Bliain 9/Year 9 | Bliain 10/Year 10 |
Beannachtaí/Greetings
Mé Féin/Myself Dialann an Lae/Daily Routine Caitheamh Aimsire/Pastimes Mé Féin ar Scoil/Myself at School An Aimsir/The Weather |
Daoine Eile/Other People
An Aimsir/The Weather Sláinte/Health An Teach/The House Laethanta Saoire/Holidays |
Teaghlach agus Cairde/Family and Friends
Slite Beatha/Occupations Na Meáin agus Cumarsáid/Media and Communications Caitheamh Aimsire/Pastimes Dialann an Lae/Daily Routine Siopadóireacht/Shopping Saol Sláintiúil/Healthy Lifestyle |
How will I be assessed?
There will be three formal assessments for each KS3 class over the course of the school year.
These assessments usually occur at the end of November, Mid February and Mid May.

Visit to the Donegal Gaeltacht
Useful links
Brief Overview of courses
Through studying GCSE Irish students will further develop their knowledge of Irish and language learning skills gained in Key Stage 3. They will develop the ability to communicate effectively in Irish and develop an awareness and understanding of Irish-speaking communities. GCSE course content, understanding and skills help them to take their place in a multilingual global society, and also provide them with a suitable basis for further study and practical use of Irish.
What will I study?
Bliain 11/Year 11 | Bliain 12/Year 12 |
Teaghlach agus Cairde/Family and friends
Na Meáin Shóisialta agus Teicneolaíocht Nua-aimseartha/Social Media and New Technology Caitheamh Aimsire/Pastimes Dialann an Lae/Daily Routine Siopadóireacht/Shopping Cultúr agus Féilte/Culture and Festivals Taisteal agus Turasóireacht/Travel and Tourism An Aimsir/The Weather An Ghaeltacht/The Gaeltacht |
Mo Cheantar/My Area
An Timpeallacht Áitiúil/ The Local Environment Ról sa Phobal/Community Involvement Cúrsaí Sóisialta agus Domhanda/Social and Global Issues Sláinte agus Stíl Mhaireachtála/ Health and Lifestyle Scoil/School Obair Pháirtaimseartha/Part-time work Pleanáil don Todchai agus Slí Beatha/Future Plans and Career |
How will I be assessed?
Assessment (Exams and Controlled Assessment Requirements):
Title: Unit 1: Listening
Format: External written examination. Students answer 12 questions in English and in Irish.
Duration: 35 minutes at Foundation Tier, 45 minutes at Higher Tier
Weighting: 25%
Submitted/Taken: May/June Year 12
Unit 2: Speaking
Format: Teacher conducted speaking examination. Two role-plays and a general conversation on two topics in Irish.
Duration: 7-12 minutes (plus 10 minutes of preparation time)
Weighting: 25%
Submitted/Taken: Term 2 in Year 12.
Unit 3: Reading
Format: External written examination. Students answer a variety of questions in English and in Irish, as well as translating short sentences from Irish into English
Duration: 50 minutes at Foundation Tier, 1 hour at Higher Tier
Weighting: 25%
Submitted/Taken: May/June Year 12
Unit 4: Writing
Format: External written examination. Students answer four questions including listing (at Foundation Tier), short phrase/sentence responses, translating short sentences and one extended writing task (from a choice of three) in Irish.
Duration: 1 hour at Foundation Tier, 1 hour 15 minutes at Higher Tier
Weighting: 25%
Taken: May/June Year 12
Useful links
Brief Overview of courses
In some areas the AS Level and A Level Specification leads on from GCSE but in general there is a much greater breadth of vocabulary and an increasing complexity of grammatical structures. Students are required to have a good foundation in Irish and a willingness to engage imaginatively in language activities.
The emphasis on the development of the linguistic and communicative skills will prepare students for the demands of higher education and employment. Learning a language gives students opportunities to develop confidence, independence, communication and presentation techniques, IT competence, as well as skills in research, evaluation and analysis that universities and employers value highly.
What will I study?
Year 13 | Year 14 |
Relationships:
Different family structures; Roles, responsibilities and relationships; Challenges for families; Intergenerational issues; and Influences on young people.
Culture & Lifestyle: Physical well-being; Risk taking behaviour; Dealing with stress and challenges; Hobbies and interests; The arts, film, fashion and design; Social media and new technology; and Holidays, festivals and customs.
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Young People in Society: Part-time jobs; Education and employment; Career planning; Young people and democracy; European citizenship Societal attitudes and young people. Our Place in a Changing World: Equality/inequality and discrimination/prejudice; Poverty at home and abroad; Immigration and emigration; Multicultural society and cultural identity; Causes, consequences and resolution of conflict; Sustainable living and environmental issues.
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How will I be assessed?
Advanced Subsidiary (AS)
Consists of three units:
Unit AS 1: Speaking – Presentation and Conversation
(30% of AS, 12% of A Level)
Unit AS 2: Section A – Listening based on passages recorded on CD
Section B – Reading comprehension & Translation Irish into English
Section C – Use of Language; grammatical exercises and Translation English into Irish
(40% of AS, 16% of A Level)
Unit AS 3: Extended writing – Essay in Irish on a set film or literary text.
(30% of AS, 12% of A Level)
Advanced GCE (A2)
Consists of three further units:
Unit A2 1: Speaking – discussion based on research and Conversation
(18% of A Level)
Unit A2 2: Section A – Listening based on passages recorded on CD
Section B – Reading questions and Translation from English into Irish
Section C – Writing based on a literary text
(24% of A Level)
Unit A2 3: Extended Writing – Essay in Irish on a literary text
(18% of A Level)
All units are examined in summer. The assessment of speaking will be conducted by external examiners.
Useful links