100
Combined years teaching Irish
Irish – Grinds & Courses
Irish is one of only two compulsory Leaving Cert subjects, and the oral and aural exams together carry more weight than either written paper. Our expert teachers combine spoken practice with structured written preparation, helping students build real fluency and confidence for every part of the exam.
10,000
Irish H1s supported
28
live Irish classes every week
6
class locations – more than any other provider
Find a Class That Fits Your Schedule
With 28 live Irish classes a week across six locations and online, you’ll always find one to suit your schedule.
Weekly Grinds — Irish
29-week course, September 2026 – May 2027. Classes are 60 minutes (1st–4th Year) or 75 minutes (5th–6th Year).
1st Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 17:30 | Common | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 1st Year.
2nd Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 11:30 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Wednesday | 18:45 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 2nd Year.
3rd Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Saturday | 10:15 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Monday | 17:30 | Higher | Swords | Enrol |
| Wednesday | 18:45 | Higher | Westmanstown | Enrol |
| Monday | 18:45 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Wednesday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Thursday | 18:45 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Saturday | 9:00 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 3rd Year.
4th Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 4th Year.
5th Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 12:00 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Monday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Wednesday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 5th Year.
6th Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Saturday | 10:30 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Tuesday | 17:30 | Higher | Killester | Enrol |
| Tuesday | 17:30 | Higher | Swords | Enrol |
| Monday | 19:00 | Higher | Westmanstown | Enrol |
| Tuesday | 17:30 | Higher | Dalkey | Enrol |
| Monday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Monday | 19:00 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Tuesday | 19:00 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Wednesday | 17:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Thursday | 19:00 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Saturday | 9:00 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
| Saturday | 10:30 | Higher | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 6th Year.
August Preparation Course — Irish
Monday 17th – Thursday 20th August 2026. Classes are 60 minutes (1st–3rd Year) or 75 minutes (5th–6th Year). No 1st Year or 4th Year Irish course is currently offered.
2nd Year
| Days | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 14:30 | Common | Leeson Street | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 2nd Year.
3rd Year
| Days | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 12:30 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Mon–Thu | 10:00 | Common | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 3rd Year.
5th Year
| Days | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 13:00 | Higher | Leeson Street | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 5th Year.
What To Expect
Oral & Aural vs Written Papers
Irish is unlike any other Leaving Cert subject in how the marks are split, the spoken elements carry more weight than either written paper alone.
Oral & Aural: 40% of the Grade
The oral exam (Béaltriail) and aural exam (Cluastuiscint) together make up 40% of the total Higher Level grade, more than either individual written paper.
Because it carries so much weight, oral and aural preparation deserves the same year-round attention as written study, not a last-minute cram before the oral exam date.
Written Papers 1 & 2: 60% of the Grade
Paper 1 covers composition, essays, letters and other prescribed genres. Paper 2 covers prescribed literature, reading comprehension and poetry.
Strong written preparation means genuine comfort producing fluent, accurate Irish under time pressure, not just recognising vocabulary.
The oral and aural together outweigh either written paper. It’s worth treating spoken Irish practice as a year-round priority rather than something to focus on only in the weeks before the oral exam.
What to focus on
- Regular spoken practice throughout the year, not just before the oral exam
- Familiarity with common aural topics and question patterns
- A strong grasp of prescribed prose, poetry and literature for Paper 2
- Comfortable, accurate written expression for Paper 1 composition
At the Institute of Education, weekly Irish classes include dedicated oral and aural practice alongside written paper preparation.
Need Some Help? Access Our Free Irish Resources
We have a collection of free resources to help with Irish, including:
- Oral Exam Tips
- Prescribed Poetry
- Prose & Fiction
- Grammar & Vocabulary
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of Irish do you teach?
We currently teach Higher Level Irish from 2nd Year onwards. 1st–3rd Year Junior Cycle classes are taught to a common standard. We do not currently offer a dedicated Ordinary Level Irish grinds option.
Where can I attend Irish grinds?
Depending on your year group, Irish grinds are available online and at our Leeson Street, Killester, Swords, Westmanstown and Dalkey locations. Use the filters above to see what’s available for your year.
Can I attend some classes online and others in person?
Yes. You can mix and match online and onsite classes across different subjects. Once enrolled in a specific class, though, you can only attend that class, whether online or in person.
How much do Irish grinds cost?
Fees depend on year group and how many subjects you take. For one subject, prices range from €1,020 (1st–4th Year) up to €1,195 (6th Year) for the full 29-week course. Taking multiple subjects reduces the average cost per subject.
What’s included with Irish grinds?
Every student gets live teaching from experienced Irish teachers, free class recordings available to rewatch until the end of the State Exams, and exam-focused notes covering the oral, aural and both written papers.
Are Irish classes recorded if I miss one?
Yes. Every class, online or onsite, is recorded and available to rewatch through Moodle, right up until the end of the State Exams.
How much of the Higher Level grade is the oral and aural exam?
Together, the oral and aural exams make up 40% of the total Higher Level grade, more than either individual written paper. It’s a significant enough share that spoken Irish practice deserves attention throughout the year, not just before the oral exam.
Can I change my subject or class time during the year?
Yes. We allow class changes up to Easter, subject to availability. Contact our office on 01 661 3511 to arrange a change.
On Our Courses Students Receive:
Have Questions? We’re here to help
If you’d like to learn more about this course or need help, we’d love to hear from you. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.