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.
01The World of the Celts
An investigation into the social structures, craftsmanship, and daily lives of Iron Age Celtic society in Ireland.
Explore the origins and geographical spread of Celtic peoples across Europe, focusing on their arrival in Ireland.
Examining the roles of the Tuath, the Druids, and the Brehon Laws in maintaining order.
Investigate the spiritual world of the Celts, including their gods, goddesses, and sacred sites.
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.
02The Might of Ancient Rome
A study of the Roman Empire's expansion, its technological innovations, and its lasting legacy on European culture.
Discover the legends of Rome's foundation and the establishment of its early republican government.
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.
Explore the pantheon of Roman deities and the importance of religious festivals in daily life.
03Life in Medieval Times
Exploring the feudal system, the power of the Church, and the impact of the Black Death on society.
Examine the factors leading to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the emergence of new kingdoms in Europe.
Understanding the hierarchy of kings, lords, knights, and peasants.
Investigate the design and function of medieval castles and the strategies of siege warfare.
The role of monks in preserving knowledge and the creation of illuminated manuscripts.
Explore the growth of towns, the daily lives of townspeople, and the role of craft guilds.
Analyzing the causes, spread, and devastating consequences of the plague.
04The Age of Exploration
Investigating the voyages of discovery and the subsequent encounters between different cultures.
Examine the economic, political, and religious reasons that drove European nations to explore new lands.
The development of the caravel, the astrolabe, and more accurate mapping.
Study the pioneering voyage of Vasco da Gama and its impact on global trade.
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.
Examine the global consequences of the Age of Exploration, including cultural exchange and conflict.
05The Great Famine in Ireland
A deep dive into the causes, experiences, and global legacy of An Gorta Mór.
Understand the social structure, land system, and economic conditions in Ireland before the Famine.
Examining potato blight, land subdivision, and the dependence on a single crop.
Trace the progression of the potato blight and initial efforts to alleviate the suffering.
Investigating the conditions and social stigma associated with the workhouse system.
Examine the role of charitable organizations and government-funded soup kitchens during the Famine.
The journey of millions of Irish people to North America and the UK.
Explore how the Great Famine is remembered and commemorated in Ireland and abroad.
06Revolution and Change in Ireland
Tracing the path from the 1916 Rising to the establishment of the Irish Free State.
Examine the political and social climate in Ireland leading up to the 1916 Easter Rising.
Analyzing the events of Easter Week and the leaders of the rebellion.
Explore the political consequences of the Easter Rising and the growing support for Sinn Féin.
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.
Examine the establishment of the Irish Free State and its early challenges.