Irish a Literature Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Irish a Literature sessions from 2016-2017. This archive currently includes 4 official papers and 0 donated papers.
2
Sessions
4
Papers
4
Official
2016-2017
Years
May 2017
Latest Session
2
Sessions
2016–2017
4
Question Papers
0
Markschemes
0% coverage
Components: 2 papers.
Yearly Exam Sessions
About IB Irish a Literature
IB Irish a Literature is a Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature subject offered to students whose first language or heritage language is Irish (Gaeilge). Irish (Gaeilge) is spoken by approximately 1.8 million (functional users), 170,000 daily speakers in Ireland (official language) and the Gaeltacht communities in western Ireland. Irish has one of the oldest vernacular literary traditions in Europe, dating to the 6th century AD. The oral tradition of storytelling (seanchaí), bardic poetry, and early Christian manuscripts gave way to a modern revival literature produced in the shadow of language decline and political upheaval. Students who sit this course bring a deep cultural connection to the language, and examiners expect engagement with the literary and cultural context of Irish (Gaeilge)-language texts.
The IB Irish a Literature curriculum requires students to study a range of texts — poetry, prose, and drama — drawn from the Irish (Gaeilge) literary tradition. Distinguished voices such as Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Séamus Heaney (English-language Irish poet) are representative of the kinds of authors and works that may be studied. Past papers for this subject include Paper 1 (textual commentary) and Paper 2 (comparative literary essay).
Exam Format
Paper 1 (SL: 1 hr 15 min / HL: 2 hr 15 min)
Guided textual analysis of an unseen extract. SL students receive a guiding question; HL students analyse without a guiding question and must independently identify literary devices and their effects.
Paper 2 (SL/HL: 1 hr 45 min)
Comparative literary essay on two works studied in class. Students choose one question from four options. Requires a structured argument with textual evidence.
SL vs HL
SL students analyse a single unseen text in Paper 1 with a guiding question. HL students are given two texts and must choose one to analyse without guidance, demonstrating greater independence. HL students also submit a Higher Level Essay (HLE) as part of Internal Assessment, giving them an additional extended writing opportunity.
Study Tips for IB Irish a Literature
- ✓Always identify the text type, genre, and cultural context before beginning your analysis.
- ✓Use precise literary terminology — diction, imagery, tone, syntax, structure, and narrative voice all attract marks.
- ✓In Paper 2, compare both texts throughout the essay; never discuss one text then the other in separate halves.
- ✓Quote directly and briefly from the text — long quotations with no comment waste exam time.
- ✓Plan your Paper 2 essay before writing: a clear thesis and paragraph structure improves coherence significantly.
- ✓For HL, practise unseen analysis with no guiding question to build the analytical independence the exam demands.
- ✓Develop a strong knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge) literary history and at least 2–3 major authors so contextual references strengthen your analysis.
Questions, answered.
IB Irish a Literature is a Group 1 subject in the IB Diploma Programme. It is designed for students whose first or strongest language is Irish (Gaeilge). The course develops skills in literary analysis and critical thinking through the study of texts from the Irish (Gaeilge) literary tradition.
A Literature focuses exclusively on literary texts. A Language and Literature also includes non-literary texts such as media, advertising, and public discourse. Both are Group 1 subjects.
Yes. Our archive includes question papers and mark schemes for available sessions. Mark schemes for A Literature subjects include commentary assessment criteria and essay marking notes.
The Internal Assessment is an Individual Oral (15 minutes) in which students present an analysis of an extract from a literary work and connect it to a global issue. HL students also submit a Higher Level Essay.
Schools choose their own texts from Irish (Gaeilge)-language literature. Well-known authors from this tradition include Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Séamus Heaney (English-language Irish poet). The IB requires that at least one work is studied in translation from another language tradition.