Getting ready for the Leaving Cert Irish exam can feel overwhelming, but you can make it easier and more manageable by understanding the exam layout and by appropriately studying for it. Here, we'll look at everything you need to know, from how many marks each section is worth to what appears on the paper.
| Section | Marks | % of Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Exam | 240 | 40% | Poetry, picture sequence, conversation |
| Paper 1: Listening | 60 | 10% | Audio comprehension |
| Paper 1: Composition | 100 | 17% | Blog, story, article, letter etc. |
| Paper 2: Comprehension | 100 | 17% | Two reading passages |
| Paper 2: Literature | 100 | 16% | Prose, poetry, drama (incl. An Triail) |
| Total | 600 | 100% |
Why Irish Still Matters in the Leaving Cert
While Irish may only be the first language for a fraction of those residing on the island of Ireland, it still has a strong presence in secondary schools across the country. The language is compulsory at primary school right up until the end of your Leaving Certificate education. This means that there is no getting around it if you find that it is a subject that gives you difficulty!
In secondary schools across the country, the language is assessed at three levels: Foundation, Ordinary, and Higher. Oral exams are held around Easter, and written exams are administered in June. At Ordinary Level, you'll study aspects of literary works, while the Higher Level paper requires quite a bit more depth in your analysis of the prescribed material. However, you will be glad to learn that Irish is a structured subject for the Leaving Cert in the sense that students know what will come up.
For example, both Higher and Ordinary Level students know that reading comprehension and written composition will be part of Paper One. Understanding the Leaving Cert Irish syllabus can set you up for a high grade. Since much of the material can be predicted and prepared in advance, by adopting an exam-oriented approach and putting the hours into your study, you can achieve your potential in the subject. What many students fail to realise is that you don't have to be a Gaeilgeoir to achieve an H1/01, H2/O2 or even an H3/O3 in the Leaving Cert exam.
What’s on the Leaving Cert Irish Syllabus?
The Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus is designed to foster a comprehensive understanding and proficiency in the Irish language, aligning with key educational guidelines. Language competencies are central to the syllabus, focusing on enhancing students' abilities in listening (Éisteacht), reading (Léitheoireacht), spoken production (Labhairt), and writing (Scríobh).
The curriculum encompasses a variety of themes and topics, such as family, relationships, social issues, and global concerns, that connect students to Irish culture. Literary analysis is also a pivotal aspect of the syllabus, requiring students to critically engage with texts across poetry, prose, and drama. While it is considered one of the more challenging sections of the course, it is essential as it gives students across the country the ability to express their opinions and make arguments in their native language.
By preparing key elements in advance, like essay templates, sraith pictiúr answers, and practiced listening techniques, you’re setting yourself up for success. Repetition and structure often outweigh raw fluency.
There is also an Oral and listening section that takes place outside of the written assessment. These elements are crucial as they are what enable students to develop their conversational skills, which go a long way in revitalising the language.
The sections emphasise the importance of language awareness and cultural enrichment, encouraging students to appreciate the significant role of the Irish language in Ireland's identity and heritage.
of all Leaving Cert students sit the Irish exam at either Higher, Ordinary or Foundation Level
The Leaving Cert Irish syllabus aims to prepare students for their exams, while also instilling a lasting connection with the language and culture. Immerse yourself in linguistic heritage through expert-led Grinds Irish classes. Experience personalised learning with our dedicated tutors.
How Is the Leaving Cert Irish Exam Structured?
The Leaving Certificate Irish exam is an evaluation of your language abilities, incorporating both spoken and written assessments. The exam is assessed in three components: the oral, the written and the aural/cluastuiscint. The written part is then divided into Paper One and Paper Two.
- Oral exam: 40% (240 marks)
- Paper One: 27% (160 marks)
- Paper Two: 33% (200 marks)
- Prioritise revision according to these percentages for maximum efficiency.
At both levels, the oral section will assess your ability to converse in the language, carrying 240 marks (40%), while the listening component evaluates your comprehension of language through recordings, worth 60 marks (10%).
The composition on Paper One is worth 100 marks and will test your ability to write creative stories as outlined in the prompting sentences that feature on your exam paper. This section alone can be prepared and is worth (17%), so Paper One is (27%), so you have no excuse for not making life easier for yourself and guaranteeing some marks in the exam.
students took the Leaving Cert exam in 2025, including those sitting Irish
Paper Two at both levels is (33%) with the reading comprehension, worth 100 marks (17%), which requires you to engage with texts, demonstrate understanding and provide an analysis. The prose and poetry are 30 marks each for Higher Level (5% each) and 50 marks each for Ordinary Level (8.3% each).
Finally, the additional literature for Higher Level is 40 marks (6.67%). For the oral, the different parts are the welcome, reading the poetry, the sraith pictiúr and the conversation.
Higher Level students also face additional literary texts like An Triail. Practise critical analysis and know key quotes and themes. This section is worth valuable marks and is highly predictable.
Embark on an Irish language journey through interactive online Irish grinds. Join us to experience engaging lessons led by skilled educators.
This is an exam that can be relied on if you are setting your sights on achieving high marks in the Leaving Cert. By prioritising your study efforts according to how the marks are allocated in the exam, you can ensure that your preparation will be rewarded and that no time will be wasted!
Study Tips for Success in Leaving Cert Irish
Preparing for both papers of the Leaving Certificate Irish exam involves a mix of practising clever strategies and adopting a holistic approach.
You should broaden the avenues of your learning beyond your Leaving Cert textbook. Make sure to utilise helpful resources, such as blog posts, podcasts, and exam guides, to assist you in your preparation. These tools can offer advice, techniques and practice materials to boost your performance across each component of the assessments.
Immersing yourself in the language is crucial for building fluency and confidence in Irish. Seek out opportunities to interact with the language by watching TV shows, tuning into radio broadcasts or joining conversation groups. Surrounding yourself with content can help improve your comprehension and speaking skills. If you're in Limerick, consider local options such as Irish classes Limerick.
If you want to spice up your exam, include Irish proverbs to advance your level of Irish, which are available to find through many online resources. When you add them, ensure that they are suitable for the area where you are placing them.
For example, ‘aithnítear cara i gcruatán’ means that ‘a friend is known in times of hardship’ and can be used in oral when talking about friendship or even in an essay where friendship is mentioned. It is helpful to learn some general proverbs that can be applied to various topics.
Learn and incorporate useful filler phrases and expressions into your conversations. Phrases like "agus mar sin de," "i mo thuairim," and "mar ata fhios agat féin" can help you maintain a natural flow and buy time to gather your thoughts while speaking.
Success Strategy Checklist: Prepare Smarter for Leaving Cert Irish
If you're preparing for your Leaving Cert Irish exam. Run through these checklists to ensure you're on track.
6 Months Before the Exam
3 Months Before the Exam
Final 4 Weeks Before the Exam
Once you feel that your knowledge is up to scratch, you begin testing yourself by practising exam papers or writing mock essay papers. Answering exam-style questions under the same conditions that you will have on the day is the best way to prepare and gain confidence in an exam setting.
Here's some great information on the essay component of Paper 1.
Knowing your verbs is also going to be vital when you are looking to attain perfect results in the exam because the whole Irish paper is littered with verbs. They will come up in every aspect in the different tenses.
When preparing for the exams, you will need to incorporate a mix of techniques that are suitable for your preferred style of learning. You will also need to be consistent in implementing these strategies in the long run if you want to jump up a few grades in the subject.
How a Private Irish Tutor Can Improve Your Grade
While the Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus provides a comprehensive framework, seeking guidance from an experienced tutor can significantly enhance your learning experience and exam preparation. Superprof offers a wide range of Irish language tutors who can cater to your specific needs and learning style.
Each student has unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences. The beauty of working alongside an experienced tutor with a good understanding of the Leaving Cert Irish exam format is that they will be able to tailor their teaching methods to suit your requirements, ensuring that you receive targeted support and guidance throughout your Leaving Certificate Irish journey.
In a classroom setting, teachers often have to divide their attention among multiple students, making it challenging to address individual concerns or provide one-on-one support. With a Superprof tutor, you benefit from undivided attention and focused guidance, allowing you to ask questions, clarify doubts, and receive immediate feedback on your progress.
Learning a language should never just be about grammar and vocabulary; it also involves understanding and practising to speak the language. Not only can working with one of Supeprof’s Irish tutors help you become more fluent in Irish, but you will also get a better grade in the oral assessment as a result.
By leveraging the expertise of a Superprof tutor, you can gain a competitive edge in your Leaving Certificate Irish preparation. You will be giving yourself an advantage over the thousands of other students across the country who will be sitting the same exams.
Search for "Irish" on the Superprof website today and consider taking advantage of a few tutors' free first sessions to find the right tutor for you, your budget, and your preferred learning approaches. If you're in Cork, explore local grinds like Irish grinds Cork to find tutors nearby.
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