Irish Junior Cycle Study Notes

Did you know that watching a TV soap now qualifies as schoolwork? Well, it does if the programme happens to be ‘Ros na Rún’ on TG4, Ireland’s fastest growing channel. Have you experienced the craic of a couple of weeks in the Gaeltacht, making lots of friends and expanding your vocabulary in a determined effort to chat someone up at the céilí? Can you proudly roar out the words of our national anthem as the boys in green line up for an important World Cup match in a distant country?

Irish language and culture has never been so cool, and you can now even learn it on the web!

The Irish syllabus at Junior Cert level is aimed at developing your listening, speaking and writing skills and it is examined at higher, ordinary, and foundation level. While there is no oral exam, you will be tested (depending on level) on a combination of aural, written, and literature skills. These range from writing a postcard to conducting a debate, reading a notice to commenting on a piece of poetry you have never seen before. The aural exam (Triail Chluastuisceana) takes place at the same time as the written papers and requires good preparation.

As an ancient Celtic language, Irish is part of our rich cultural heritage. Why not tap into the ‘Riverdance revival’ and discover for yourself some of the hidden treasures of your own language and culture? As the ads for TG4 proclaim, it gives us another eye (‘súil eile’) on the world.