News
Major changes ahead for Leaving Cert students

By Michelle Crean
Major changes to the Leaving Cert have been announced today (Tuesday) which will include spreading exams over a two year period.
Secondary school students who will be heading into Senior Cycle in September 2023 will now sit English and Irish Paper One at the end of Fifth Year in a move which is set to reduce final year stress. Two new subjects will also be available for students from September 2024; Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
Announced today by Education Minister Norma Foley, she said that new approach will enable students to follow a broad curriculum, develop their interests and skills and participate in a final assessment process consistent with international best practice, which will support them in their next phase of life whether that’s third level, further education and training, apprenticeships or the world of work.
While she said that the "current system has many strengths" it "can be improved".
"Today I am setting out a new plan for Senior Cycle education in Ireland,” Minister Foley said.
"This is an ambitious programme of reform. It will enrich students’ educational experience by increasing their choices to match their interests and enhancing teaching and learning. It will reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on examinations. We will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment, over a less concentrated time period, in line with international best practice."
Key changes to Senior Cycle
* Managing the assessment burden
* New and revised subjects will be developed
* From September 2023, students will take Leaving Certificate Irish and English Paper One at the end of Fifth Year
* The marks for Paper One will be 'banked' and added to the marks awarded for Paper Two which students will take in June of Sixth Year
* The experience of running Orals and Practical Music Examinations at Easter in the last two years is being reviewed. It is hoped to run the examinations in this way in future
New subjects and new ways of assessing students
New subjects will be developed and new subject curricula, which outline what material is taught and assessed in a subject, will be devised. The process of doing this will involve teachers, students and school communities as well as other education experts. The NCCA will publish a curriculum review by September 2023. This will set out a plan for new and revised subject curricula to be delivered in annual blocks.
Three Senior Cycle science subject curricula; Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as Business will be ready for introduction to the network schools and revised specifications in Latin, Ancient Greek and Arabic will be introduced for all schools in September 2024.
A Senior Cycle Reform Programme Delivery Board will be established to oversee and drive the changes.
News
Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international […]

Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that “creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism”.
“Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery,” he said.
News
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and […]

A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday).
The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme, provides an attractive outdoor dining option for locals and visitors to Killarney.
“This is a really wonderful addition to Killarney’s tourism infrastructure and will prove a great asset throughout the year and particularly during the forthcoming tourist season,” said Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, who did the honours.
“One of the effects of the recent pandemic was the need to utilise and maximise outdoor dining options and this infrastructure shows what can be achieved in an imaginative way. It will greatly enhance Killarney’s reputation as a destination for top quality tourism experiences.”
The project has been operational since last October but the official opening was timed to coincide with the Meitheal 2023 tourism industry showcase that was organised by Fáilte Ireland at the INEC this week.
“It is fantastic to see Killarney’s outdoor dining infrastructure being so well received by trade and visitors alike,” Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way at Fáilte Ireland, said.
Councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved planning permission for the infrastructure which was completed by Daniel Canty Construction.