Leaving Certificate History; and Testimony at the Border in 1925

Leaving Certificate History

As the countdown to the Leaving Cert begins, we're looking at how the History paper tests more than just memory, and trains students to think like historians. Two experienced educators are here to talk through the History exam - and how it’s changed over time.

The Leaving Certificate exams begin in just one month. This evening, we’re looking in detail at the History exam paper: how it’s structured, how students can approach it, and the skills it helps to develop.

Myles is joined in studio by Deirdre Mac Mathúna, PRO of the History Teacher’s Association of Ireland. She taught history for 31 years. Now she’s lecturer in History Pedagogy at Trinity College Dublin – which means she teaches history teachers how to teach history.

Myles is also joined by Sean Delap, a history teacher, and Principal of Coláiste Íosagáin, a girl’s Gaelcholáiste in Dublin. He’s also the author of numerous textbooks, for both Junior and Leaving Cert.

Testimony at the Border, 1925

One hundred years ago, The Irish Boundary Commission was carrying out its work – engaged in their mission to determine the exact delineation of the border between the new Irish Free State, and Northern Ireland. At the time, in mid 1925, they were collecting testimony – interviewing people who lived along the border.

To talk about this, Myles is joined on the line by historian Cormac Moore, author of the new book The Root of All Evil: The Irish Boundary Commission, published this month by Irish Academic Press.