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Why should I study Irish?
Studying Irish develops your language skills and knowledge by raising your awareness and widening your understanding of Irish-speaking countries/communities. You will have the opportunity to use practical Irish and take your place as a citizen in a multilingual, global society.
Studying Irish will give you the confidence to communicate effectively in a second language. You will be able to work independently and with others to enjoy the benefits of language learning.
How will I be assessed in this subject?
What will I study?
Unit 1: Listening
Unit 1: Listening
This is a written examination lasting approximately:
• 35 minutes at Foundation Tier; and
• 45 minutes at Higher Tier.
You will answer twelve questions, in English and Irish
Unit 2: Speaking
Unit 2: Speaking
You will take part in two role-plays and a general conversation on two topics in Irish. The teacher conducts the speaking examination, which lasts 7–12 minutes (plus 10 minutes of role-play preparation time).
Unit 3: Reading
Unit 3: Reading
This is a written examination lasting: • 50 minutes at Foundation Tier; and • 1 hour at Higher Tier. You will answer questions in English and in Irish, as well as translating short sentences from Irish into English.
Unit 4: Writing
Unit 4: Writing
This is a written examination lasting:
• 1 hour at Foundation Tier
• 1 hour 15 minutes at Higher Tier.
You will answer four questions including listing (at Foundation Tier), short phrase/sentence responses, translating short sentence
What career pathways are available to me if I study this subject?
Studying Irish can lead to further study or a career, for example in tourism, broadcasting, marketing, enterprise, business or teaching. There may also be opportunities for study abroad or other international programmes.
Extra Curricular Activities
If you choose GCSE Irish, you may have the opportunity to take part in the following activities;
Trips to Gaeltacht
Feis an Dúin
Fáinne Awards
Workshops in Ulster University
Gael Linn table quiz and céilí
Gaelige 24
Seachtain na Gaelige
Be part of a thriving and growing local Irish speaking community
Opportunity to be in the audience of Irish language TV and radio shows
Student Testimonials
Roghnaigh mé GCSE Gaeilge mar, d’fhreastail mé ar IME ó a bhí mé trí bliana d’aois agus is breá liom an teanga. Bhí na múinteoirí spreagúil agus an-cuidiúil. Gach seachtain bhí club sosa ann do na daltaí Gaeilge, darb ainm Cumann na Craice, áit ar bhuail muid uilig le chéile, is d’imir muid cluichí. Chomh maith leis sin, chuaigh muid ar turais spraíúla chuig an Ghaeltacht, an áit a ndéantar cuimhní cinn gan chuimhneamh.
I chose GCSE Irish because I had been taught through IME since I was 3 years old and love it. The teachers were inspirational and so helpful. Each week we had Cumann na Craice, where we would meet up and have games with the met up with the other Irish students. We would also go on trips to the Gaeltacht, where we made unforgettable memories.
Orla Smith
Irish.mp4I chose Irish for GCSE and A-Level because it’s my native language. I feel that it’s important to be able to speak the language as it has been part of our culture for hundreds of years. Because of Irish, I have had opportunities to meet new people and do a lot of things: to be part of the Irish association in university, to help out at Irish language summer schemes and to go to the Gaeltacht during the summer. As well as this, when I finish university I will have a wider range of job opportunities because of Irish.
Roghnaigh mé an Ghaeilge don GCSE agus A-leibhéal mar is í mo theanga dhúchais í. Mothaím go bhfuil sé tábhachtach le bheith ábalta í a labhairt mar is cuid dár gcultúr í an Ghaeilge a théann siar na céadta bliain. Mar gheall ar an Ghaeilge, bhí deiseanna agam le bualadh le daoine nua agus a lán rudaí a dhéanamh: le bheith páirteach sa Chumann Gaelach san ollscoil, le cuidiú le scéimeanna samhraidh Ghaeilge agus dul chun na Gaeltacht i rith an tsamhraidh. Chomh maith leis seo, nuair a chríochnaím ollscoil beidh níos mó deiseanna fostaíochta agam mar gheall ar an Ghaeilge.
Kyla Kelly, Past Pupil
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