Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
5th Year Echoes of the Past: Exploring Irish and World History
This course guides Year 5 students through the complexities of ancient civilizations, the evolution of Irish society, and the impact of global exploration. Students develop historical empathy and critical thinking by analyzing primary sources and investigating the causal links between past events and modern life.
The World of the Celts
An investigation into the social structures, craftsmanship, and daily lives of Iron Age Celtic society in Ireland.
Examining the roles of the Tuath, the Druids, and the Brehon Laws in maintaining order.
Exploring the intricate designs of the La Tène style and the development of iron tools.
Analyzing the defensive and practical features of Celtic settlements across the Irish landscape.
The Might of Ancient Rome
A study of the Roman Empire's expansion, its technological innovations, and its lasting legacy on European culture.
Investigating the tactics and organization that allowed Rome to conquer vast territories.
Examining the construction of roads, aqueducts, and the Colosseum.
Comparing the lives of wealthy patricians and the laboring plebeians.
Life in Medieval Times
Exploring the feudal system, the power of the Church, and the impact of the Black Death on society.
Understanding the hierarchy of kings, lords, knights, and peasants.
Analyzing the causes, spread, and devastating consequences of the plague.
The role of monks in preserving knowledge and the creation of illuminated manuscripts.
The Age of Exploration
Investigating the voyages of discovery and the subsequent encounters between different cultures.
The development of the caravel, the astrolabe, and more accurate mapping.
A case study of the first encounters between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.
The story of the first voyage to sail around the entire world.
The Great Famine in Ireland
A deep dive into the causes, experiences, and global legacy of An Gorta Mór.
Examining potato blight, land subdivision, and the dependence on a single crop.
Investigating the conditions and social stigma associated with the workhouse system.
The journey of millions of Irish people to North America and the UK.
Revolution and Change in Ireland
Tracing the path from the 1916 Rising to the establishment of the Irish Free State.
Analyzing the events of Easter Week and the leaders of the rebellion.
The guerrilla warfare tactics used by the IRA and the role of Michael Collins.
The split in the Republican movement and the tragic conflict that followed.