Poetry is often found to be one of the more challenging components of the Irish Leaving Cert exam since not only will students be tasked with analysing poems in the Irish language, but they will also need to dissect the underlying meaning that the poet is conveying.
In this guide, we will look closely at the various poems that feature across the Leaving Cert curriculum: Geibheann, Colscaradh, Mo Ghra Sa, An Tearrach Thiar and An Spailpin Fanach.
Unfortunately, if one of the poems captured your attention, you won’t be able to study it with tunnel vision as there is no saying which one will appear in your exam, despite any predictions one might have.
There is a need to cover each poem in great detail if you are going to be reassured that you are capable of answering any question that might come your way on the day, be it on themes, language or the structure of the poem.
The poems even feature in the oral component of the Irish Leaving Cert assessment, where you’ll be required to deliver the poem to your examiner with perfect pronunciation if you’re going to achieve a top mark.
Let’s get into each of the poems so that you can begin taking steps towards whatever grade you have set yourself the task of achieving in the subject!
Breaking Down Geibheann
For one reason or another, Geibheann is one poem that many students across the country will be crossing their fingers in the hope that it will be featured in their exam.
When it comes to the oral exam, the poem definitely provides a great opportunity for students to show off their pronunciation and put themselves in the top grade bracket. It’s also not too long in length and has musical qualities that help students read it without losing their flow.
The poem was crafted by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. Its title translates to "branch,” symbolising its exploration of heavy themes such as identity, language, and heritage.
One of the main aspects of the poem that strikes a chord with students is how it delves into the contrast between two portrayals of an animal. The first depiction showcases the animal in its environment exuding strength, standing as the ruler of the woods with a roar that echoes through the trees. From your study of the poem, you'll learn how this portrays its power, liberty, and innate beauty.
This quickly takes a turn as later in the poem the animal is confined within a cramped cage, appearing shattered and drained.
The poem is a compelling one to read for the surface and underlying it presents Leaving Cert students with the task of exploring.
After a number of readings of the poem, you will learn how it represents the poet’s journey and the broader impact of colonialism on heritage and language here on the island of Ireland. Transform your essays into a tapestry, intricately weaving together the heavy themes that Geibheann tackles.
Understanding Colscaradh
Another poem that students will be hedging their bets on is Colscaradh. This poem dates a little bit further back, however, it still makes for an enjoyable and accessible read for students to delve into throughout their Leaving Cert education.
The poem was written by Seán Ó Ríordáin all the way back in 1948, and its title translates to "harvest."
Like a lot of Irish poetry, there is plenty of gloomy subject matter sprinkled in, delving into themes of loss, remembrance and the passage of time.
So why are Leaving Cert students hoping that the poem will be featured in the Leaving Cert Irish exam? Well, its expert use of imagery and metaphors to communicate intricate emotions and concepts leaves plenty to unpack, and perhaps more importantly, more for you to show off to your examiner in your answers.
For example, the metaphorical representation of a harvest signifies the progression of time and how our memories and experiences are gathered and preserved. By remarking on how this use of imagery effectively portrays how our past shapes our individuality and sense of self while having some quotes from the text to support your arguments, you’ll automatically be on track for an H1 in the poetry section!
Dive into past papers, and you'll surface with a wealth of knowledge, ready to tackle anything on Colscaradh.
Mo Ghra Sa
If you are already in the depths of the Leaving Cert cycle, then you may have already touched on Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill’s Mo Ghra Sa, a poem that has a more optimistic tone than others that feature across the course, capturing the essence of love and emotion.
While it might not be the first choice for most Leaving Cert students, the themes that are presented throughout.
While it may be more difficult for students in their teens to resonate with themes of profound love in the same way as they do with the Geibheann or Colscaradh, the invitation to contemplate how love imbues our lives with meaning and purpose makes for a strong essay in the exam!
As you prepare for your exam, keep questions from past papers in the back of your mind and take note of how the poet employs language to convey both emotion and cultural importance.
If you want to ensure that you are comfortable answering the library of potential questions that could be asked on the poem you’ll need an understanding of these components and familiarity working under exam conditions.
Embrace the possibility of Mo Ghra Sa appearing, and watch as your readiness transforms into a stellar performance.
Analysing An tEarrach Thiar
"An tEarrach Thiar” by Máirtín Ó Direáin is another poem that many Leaving Cert students studying Irish are hoping to see when they turn over the first page of their exam booklet.
This is because the poem is a captivating piece that offers a window into rural Irish life and provides plenty of opportunity for students to showcase a lot of the preparation they will have covered throughout their two years studying the course.
It is rich in poetic techniques and has a strong tie to Irish culture and history, making it a perfect opportunity to show off to an examiner that you deserve that H1 grade.
This is a poem that resonates with students, seeing as the poem yearning for his homeland is something many students have likely experienced in their own lives thus far.
Many students may even be studying away from home, often reminiscing on their fond memories of their place of birth.
When studying the poem, it’s important to contemplate the contrast between the setting described in the poem and the poet's current urban reality in Dublin.
Regardless of what question you are asked in the exam, you can always weave a couple of solid paragraphs into your answer to this aspect of the poem; just make sure to support your answer with some quotes from the text!
By familiarising yourself with the ins and outs of An tEarrach Thiar, you will be confident in your ability to achieve by the time June approaches.
Studying An Spailpin Fanach
The Wandering Labourer, or as you likely know it, "An Spailpín Fánach" is the final poem that you'll come across throughout your study of Leaving Cert Irish.
This poem is unlike any of the others in that it tackles the economic history of Ireland, something all of us have experienced even in our lifetimes with some major recessionary periods hitting the island since the 2000s.
The poem goes a little further back, touching on the reason behind the mass immigration that the small island has seen in the past. Many workers set their sights on land a little further afield in search of opportunity, something that isn’t so distant for graduates today.
Upon exploring this poem, you will discover its depth in reflecting themes closely tied to identity. It narrates the tale of a labourer who is compelled to leave his homeland in search of work and addresses issues such as poverty, displacement and the challenges faced by the working class.
In preparation for your examination, reflect on the backdrop against which this poem is set and have some paragraphs prepared on the economic circumstances that led to the emergence of spailpíns. This will enhance the quality of your answer and show the examiner that you are more than prepared for the question and not just winging it!
Hone your interpretive lens to bring the subtle nuances of An Spailpín Fánach into crystal-clear focus.
Exploring the Irish Leaving Cert Poems
Exploring the poems featured in the Irish Leaving Cert curriculum exposes students to a wealth of heritage and profound emotional connections.
From the metaphors found in "Geibheann" to the scenes depicted in "An tEarrach Thiar" these literary works provide a unique insight into Irish history, identity and the human condition.
Beyond your Leaving Cert exams, delving into these poems offers students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Irish language, culture and the expressive potential of art that some of the poets urge you to do in their writing.
By putting your head down and studying these poems from a variety of different lenses you’ll do so much more than merely succeed in your exams; you’ll be immersing yourself in Ireland's legacy and honing critical thinking abilities.
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