This intensive part-time Irish Course for Primary School Teaching is aimed at mature students. You will be part of a small group of students who all have the same goal in mind as you i.e. attaining the required Leaving Cert Higher Level Irish requirement which will allow you to enter a Primary School teacher training programme.

Our superb teachers have been teaching this course for many years. They know exactly what it takes to get you the result that you need. The course covers the prescribed Leaving Certificate Higher Level course, in full, in one academic year*. It is suitable for you even if you took Ordinary Level Irish in a previous Leaving Cert.

We hold our classes in the evenings, thereby allowing you to fit this course in with your own work schedule. Similarly, we teach our classes face to face and also online. Enrolled students benefit from access to all recorded classes to assist with revision throughout the academic year. All students have the opportunity to take a mock Oral Exam in the Spring to complete their preparation before sitting the Leaving Certificate Irish examination.

We are now accepting bookings for Leaving Certificate 2027 classes which are set to commence in September 2026.

If you have any specific queries, please contact a member of our team on 01 490 40 50 or email [email protected].

Success Rate for our Irish Course for Primary School Teaching

Our success rate for getting you through this exam stands at 90% and growing!

• Our course is specifically designed to help you to achieve your goal.
• Our course is specifically designed to cover the full syllabus in one academic year.
• Enjoy working with like-minded mature students who have one common aim in mind.
• We have excellent teachers, who know exactly how to get you through this exam.
• Our teachers have extensive teaching experience and have been teaching the Irish Course for Primary School Teaching for many years.
• Our small classes will help you to feel supported all along the way.
• Our classes are also streamed live online.
• All classes are recorded and made available to you as on demand recordings in our extensive e-library. This is great for busy lifestyles and for revision.
• Take mock Oral Exams with your teachers as you prepare for your written exams.
• Don’t worry if you struggled with Irish before or if it’s been a long time since you studied Irish or any subject! Maria and Darran will support you along the way!

Fit your Irish studies around work, family and other commitments with a choice of classroom or online learning.
Classroom sessions take place at Ashfield College’s Dundrum campus, while online classes are streamed live so you can participate remotely.
All classes are recorded and made available through the college’s online e-library, allowing you to catch up on missed lessons or revisit important topics during revision.

Classes are scheduled for Thursday evenings, making the course suitable for students balancing their studies with work and other responsibilities.

Dundrum campus: Thursday, 6.30 pm–9.00 pm.

Online learning is also available. Please contact the Registration Team to confirm the current timetable and any changes to scheduled classes.

Darran Breathnach is committed to the success of those participating in this programme and always go the extra mile to ensure that students have the best chance of reaching their potential.

Darran is experienced in teaching classes of mature students and all segments of the examination are covered with graded assessments.  All students have the opportunity to take a mock oral exam in the Spring to complete their preparation before sitting the Leaving Certificate Irish examination.

Demand for our Irish Course for Primary School Teaching classes are extremely high so book your place now to avoid disappointment.

Darran Breathnach
B.A (Honours) NUIM, Ard-dioplóma san oideachas NUIG, PGDEL (Tóraíocht) NUIM.

Darran is a second level teacher of Irish for the past 15 years. He has a great passion for his subject and spends much of the Summer working on Gaeltacht courses. Darran puts a massive emphasis on the spoken language and he firmly believes that this improves all aspects of the language. He has done much work with the PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers) to encourage the use of technology in language learning.

He takes great pride in giving students a ‘grá’ for the language and engaging them with the language in an enjoyable way. He is confident in his ability to equip students with the tools and confidence they need to excel in the language. For many years now, Darran has been helping our Ashfield College students to achieve their goal in Irish.

The course covers the full Higher Level Irish syllabus over one academic year. As the programme is intensive, applications received after the initial September start date will be reviewed by the teaching team to determine whether joining late is suitable.
If you are considering applying, contact our Registration Team to discuss your circumstances, course options and the next steps towards enrolment.
Call: 01 490 4050
Email: [email protected]