Here is reaction to the 2025 Leaving Certificate Irish Higher Level Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams with Nuala Uí Cheallaigh, Irish teacher at The Institute of Education - this content is part of the Leaving Cert Analysis series.
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Nuala says today's Paper 2 "really allowed students to demonstrate their work and grasp of the material in a very open and fair way."
Download the exam papers here - sound files available at examinations.ie
- Leaving Cert Irish Paper 1 (H)
- Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 (H)
- Leaving Cert Irish Paper 1 (O)
- Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 (O)
On Paper 1 she says: "This paper gave everyone a chance to represent their level of Irish without additional twists or turns." Read more below and watch her video above.
Key points
- The aural had familiar topics and questions.
- Broad aiste titles allowed students the scope to adapt their material to fit.
Nuala says: "Students facing the first Irish paper will be happy to find something for everyone on the paper. Settling into the aural, students were met with familiar topics like school and TV – things they would have prepared for their oral. As result they will find themselves with a good grasp of the material discussed and capable of discerning the appropriate answers. Those who had practiced previous aural exams will recognise the key questions of "who", "who", "when" and so their ear will be nicely attuned to those details. However, some might have been challenged by the appearance of the Deposit Return Scheme, potentially unfamiliar vocabulary. But those moments of pause are just part a tapestry of marks that students should find quite fair.
"Turning to the essays, a wide range of viable choices mean that everyone will have a chance to reflect their work and skill on the page. While some might have anticipated specific topics like education or the Irish Language today, there were ample opportunities to bring these under the other titles. Prompts like "is Ireland a good country to live in today", "people I have respect for" and "big stories nowadays" are brilliantly broad. Students can draw upon so many topics and areas of interest that they will really feel the benefit of their preparation work. Furthermore, the examiner will be able to assess them on their communication skills first and foremost rather than a fixed set of vocabulary.
"The two more specific aiste topics fell in line with expectations: Politics around the world and the Environment. The latter may have caused some to pause if they did not recognise the term "comhshaol" (environment). But those who prepared environmentalist material could have repurposed it to fit the broader topics with ease. Students looking to distinguish themselves often avoid the scéal, choosing either the aiste or debates. The prompt on the pros and cons of AI will appeal to those who have put special care and attention into this very contemporary topic.
"This paper gave everyone a chance to represent their level of Irish without additional twists or turns. The better students would have the chance to shine, while those who were anxious about topics will have somewhere to present their work."
Nuala says: "Paper 2 was a lovely continuation of previous papers. It had broad questions like those on Paper 1 which will allow students to adapt their material, as well as providing questions in line with those from past papers. The unseen comprehensions offered topical takes on ever-popular themes: music and sport. The texts themselves contain rather typical vocabulary, but the occasional wordy question will have required students to carefully parse out exactly what they were being asked. The answer material itself was readily discernible once both the relevant paragraph and the question were watchfully reread. This is where students looking for the top marks could start to stand out.
"Moving into the prescribed section, the inclusion of Hurlamaboc and Oisín í dTír na nÓg will have been welcomed by those hoping it was their turn to appear. The former's question may have caused some to pause momentarily if they didn’t recognise the term "díomhaoin" (idle) but those who simply outlined the main aspect of the character would have been incidentally on topic. The Oisín question was a nice and straightforward piece on the nature of the hero – something anyone preparing the text before the exam will be familiar with.
"For poetry, both "Colscaradh" and "An Scailpín Fánach" were both highly anticipated. The questions were in line with previous years but students looking to optimize their marks in this section would need to be attuned to the effects of the techniques asked in the middle question. The Litriocht Bhreise also offered very broad and approachable questions. Those who prepared An Triail will have ample choice of material in exploring the women’s failure to understand Maire’s circumstances, with at least 3 key characters jumping to mind. Those doing A Thig Ná Tit Orm would have needed to focus on the specific positive moments of the author’s recollections but will have several moments to explore the requisite joy and shenanigans. Those who studied Gafa will find their question reflecting the very core of the story in an accessible way and doing the Dánta Breise will be pleased with "Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire", making an anticipated return to the paper after last appearing in 2022.
"This paper really allowed students to demonstrate their work and grasp of the material in a very open and fair way. The real challenge will be the exam discipline necessary to make the most effective use of the tight timing by selecting and editing what to cover and what to exclude."
