Leaving Cert Irish: Exam tips with Múinteoir Séadhan
An accomplished author of Irish-language school textbooks and a regular contributor to RTÉ Study Hub, Séadhan is passionate about making Irish accessible and engaging. You can watch his contributions to the show in the videos above and below.
For more tips, resources, and expert guidance on Irish exam preparation, follow him on TikTok here.
Make Every Minute Count in Your Irish Study
With the State Exams just around the corner, it's more important than ever to ensure that every minute of study is focused, efficient, and productive. A structured and strategic approach to preparation can make all the difference for students aiming to excel in Higher Level Irish.
Here are three essential tips to help students maximise their marks:
1. Get to Know the Past Papers
Familiarity with the structure and style of past exam questions is key. By regularly reviewing previous papers, students can gain insight into common question types and recurring themes. This not only helps narrow their focus to the most relevant parts of the studied texts but also builds confidence in understanding the language and phrasing used in the exams.
Tip: Don't just read the questions - actively engage with them. Highlight patterns, practise answering under exam conditions, and review examiner marking schemes where possible.
2. Mimic Real Exam Conditions
Effective preparation involves more than just passive revision—it requires simulation. Practice answering exam-style questions under timed conditions that replicate the real exam environment.
Take Irish Paper 2 as an example. For the poetry question, you'll face three parts: a 15-mark question, a 9-mark question, and a 6-mark question.
Allocate your time accordingly:
20 minutes for the 15-mark question
10 minutes combined for the 9-mark and 6-mark questions
Stick rigidly to these time limits during practice sessions. Developing time management now will prevent stress and ensure stronger performance on the day.
3. Prioritise the High-Value Questions
Many students fall into the trap of focusing on their favourite topics or lower-weighted sections. A smart strategy is to target the questions that carry the most marks.
Now that the Irish oral is complete, all remaining attention should shift to the written papers, which hold a total of 360 marks.
Two of the most valuable components are:
The Essay on Paper 1 – worth 100 marks
The Reading Comprehensions on Paper 2 – also worth 100 marks
These sections should be the foundation of your revision. Allocate more time to mastering them as they offer the greatest return on investment when it comes to boosting your final grade.
Stay focused in these final two weeks. At this stage, quality matters more than quantity. Stick to your plan, stay consistent, and revise with purpose. If you come across a word you don't recognise in a question, don't panic. Trust in your preparation and your ability to work through it. You know more than you think. Wishing you all the very best of luck.
More about Séadhan
Séadhan De Poire is a fluent Irish speaker with over a decade of experience in education and language instruction. He has held several leadership positions, including serving as Deputy Principal in The Dublin Academy for four years, where he played a key role in academic and administrative development.
Séadhan brings invaluable insight to students preparing for State Exams, having worked closely with the State Examinations Commission as a corrector for the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Irish exam. His deep understanding of exam standards and expectations makes him a trusted guide for both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate students.
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