leaving cert history essay writing

Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State in World War II for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post author: Martina
• Post published: May 19, 2024
• Post category: #625Lab History / History

The impact of WW2 on the North and South. This is a student essay corrected by an SEC examiner, marked 70/100. The feedback is in italics. You may also like H1…

Theodore Roosevelt: Imperialist and Peacemaker 1901-1909 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: May 1, 2024

President Roosevelt’s Diplomatic Achievements and his Impact on the Development of the Foreign Policy of the United States of America. "Your great work in world politics this summer, will be,…

Terence O’Neill was a failure as a political leader for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: April 3, 2024

Would you agree that Terence O’Neill was a failure as a political leader? Argue your case. This is a student submission corrected by an examiner, 51/100 with detailed feedback. It would be…

History Predictions 2024 (Later Modern) for Leaving Cert Higher Level

• Post published: January 18, 2024
• Post category: History / Predictions

Updated January 2024 The Later Modern History course for the Leaving Cert is very broad, with a maximum of 12 possible topics to cover, each with multiple sub topics. Often,…

Racial equality during 1945-1989 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: June 22, 2023

During the period 1945 - 1989, to what extent did the movement for racial equality achieve meaningful change in the US? (Higher Level 2019) Cumulative Marks: 78/60 -  Due to the wealth of information and number…

How effective a leader was Joseph Stalin during World War II for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: September 20, 2022

How effective a leader was Josef Stalin during World War II  Essay credit: Conor Gleeson. Graded 82/100 You may also like: To what extent did Lenin and/or Stalin bring about…

What were the main developments in church-state relations under Hitler and Mussolini?

• Post published: October 25, 2021

This essay is corrected as 95/100 with detailed feedback at the bottom of this essay. Essay credit: Aisling Walsh. You may also like Complete guide to Leaving Cert History The…

Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert History 2026

• Post published: August 1, 2021
• Post category: History

If you are sitting the Leaving Cert in 2025, please refer to History 2025.   This is a distilled set of notes with H1 past paper answers. It is 574…

Partition of Ireland 1912 to 1920 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: April 22, 2020

#625Lab – History, marked 78/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). The factors that contributed to the partition of Ireland between the period…

Connolly and Larkin in the Irish Labour Movement for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: April 18, 2020

#625Lab – History, marked 88/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). What was the contribution of James Connolly and/or Jim Larkin to the…

Irish government and the consolidation of democracy 1922-32 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: April 6, 2020

How did the Irish government contribute to the consolidation of democracy 1922-1932? #625Lab – History, marked 72/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€).…

The controversies surrounding the treaty negotiations 1921 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: March 20, 2020

The Controversies surrounding the treaty negotiations 1921. #625Lab – History, marked 80/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Essay credit: Ciara McCarthy…

Causes of World War I for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: June 2, 2019

What were the causes of World War I? #625Lab – History, marked 88/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). By mid-1914 for…

Ireland 1912-1923: the use of physical force for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: March 31, 2019

The threat and use of physical force had massive effects on Ireland from 1912-1923. The foundation of two armed groups, the Ulster Volunteers and the Irish volunteers, both with vastly opposing aims, gave rise to an era of conflict in Ireland.

Government of Ireland Act 1920 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: February 2, 2019

What caused the Government of Ireland Act 1920 to come into legislation? #625Lab – History, marked 70/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€).…

Cosgrave and De Valera for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: January 27, 2019

During the period 1922-39, who achieved more in Anglo-Irish relations, Cosgrave or De Valera? Argue your case, referring to both. #625Lab – History, marked 87/100, detailed feedback at the very…

Germany 1920-39: social and economic problems for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: January 20, 2019

What were the social and economic problems facing Germany 1920-39 and how were they dealt with? #625Lab – History, marked 80/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also…

US race relations, 1945-1968 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: January 8, 2019

What were the main developments in race relations in the US, 1945-1968? #625Lab – History, marked 87/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€).…

Lenin, Stalin and economics and social change for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: January 1, 2019

To what extent did Lenin and/or Stalin bring about social and economic change? #625Lab – History, marked 70/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History…

Martin Luther King and the Montgomery bus boycott for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: December 21, 2018

What was the contribution of Martin Luther King to the Montgomery bus boycott and to other aspects of US life? #625Lab – History, marked 85/100, detailed feedback at the very…

US Foreign Policy for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: December 19, 2018

During the period 1945-1989, what was the importance of US foreign policy of one or more of the following: Berlin, Korea, Cuba? #625Lab – History, marked 70/100, detailed feedback at…

Cumann na nGaedheal Government 1923-1932 for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: December 16, 2018

The Achievements of the Cumann na nGaedheal Government 1923-1932 #625Lab – History, marked 89/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Credit: Eimear O’Sullivan The Cumann…

Anglo-Irish Treaty for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: December 3, 2018

Assess the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921) and consider the principal arguments for and against it. #625Lab – History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Credit: Eimear O'Sullivan The truce…

Eamon de Valera as a political leader for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: November 28, 2018

What were the strengths and weaknesses of Eamon de Valera as a political leader? #625Lab – History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Credit: Ellis Byrne. Eamon de Valera was…

Fianna Fail compared to Cumann na nGaedheal for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: November 22, 2018

How radical was the economic and social policy adopted by Fianna Fail after 1932 compared to Cumann na nGaedheal? #625Lab – History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Credit: Ellis…

Winston Churchill as a leader during World War II for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: November 15, 2018

How effective a leader was Winston Churchill or Josef Stalin during World War II? #625Lab – History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Credit: Ellis Byrne. Feedback: This is a…

Stalin’s propaganda and terror for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: November 1, 2018

How did Stalin use propaganda and terror to remain in power? #625Lab – History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). Essay 1 Credit: Brian Ronayne. Feedback: This is a…

Isaac Butt’s strengths and weaknesses for Leaving Cert History #625Lab

• Post published: May 15, 2018

Comment on Isaac Butt’s strengths and weaknesses as leader of the Home Rule Party. #625Lab - History. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€) Feedback: The factual content…

Leaving Cert History: Documents and Essays 2018 and 2019

• Post published: April 29, 2018

For the more up to date version for Leaving Cert 2020 and 2021, have a look at this History Documents and Essay guide This our concise History edition. Our full…

What were the main developments in race relations in the US, 1945-1968? #625Lab

• Post published: March 27, 2018

#625Lab History Although slavery was abolished in America in 1863, discrimination against black Americans remained prominent throughout society more than a century later. Widespread racism was evident, particularly in many…

What were the main developments in church-state relations under Hitler and Mussolini? #625Lab

• Post published: March 14, 2018

#625Lab – History, marked 87/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€).  With both Fascist parties rising to power in Italy and Germany, they…

What contribution did Joseph Goebbels and/or Leni Riefenstahl make to Nazi propaganda? #625Lab

• Post published: January 7, 2018

#625Lab – History, marked 87/100, detailed feedback at the very bottom. You may also like: Leaving Cert History Guide (€). There is very good use of factual information, which brings up the…

Leaving Cert History: Feminism in Ireland

• Post published: October 8, 2017

The role of women in Ireland, 1870-1914. Perspective: Economy and SocietyYou may also like:Leaving Cert History Complete Guide (€)The Status of WomenUntil the 1860s, women had to give up their…

Leaving Cert History Sample Essay: Religion and Culture in Northern Ireland

• Post published: August 29, 2016

What was the contribution of the Apprentice Boys of Derry to the celebration of religious and cultural identity among that city’s unionist minority? (2006)The Apprentice Boys of Derry, founded in…

The US and The World: Politics and Administration

• Post published: August 12, 2016

Timeline: The US and the world, 1945-1989Perspective: Politics and AdministrationImportant contextual information: US Government structureDon't miss out on the latest A1 notes and tips from top Leaving Cert performers!The Federal…

US and The World Sample Answer: Lyndon Johnson as a Political Leader

“What were the strengths and weaknesses of Lyndon Johnson as a political leader?” This is an essay from our History guide. 2014 Higher Level Paper, Section 3, Topic 6 (THE…

Video: Nuremberg Rallies

• Post published: December 3, 2015

Please click continue reading to view video Don't miss out on the latest A1 notes and tips from top Leaving Cert performers!Leaving Cert English Sample Essay and NotesFollow @625pointssix25points

Video: Stalin’s show trials

Please click continue reading to view videoDon't miss out on the latest A1 notes and tips from top Leaving Cert performers!Leaving Cert English Sample Essay and NotesFollow @625pointssix25points

What were the significant developments in the US economy 1945-1989?

• Post published: September 1, 2015

After facing years of economic lethargy during the time of economic depression in the 1930s and the following Second World War the US emerged as the most powerful economy in…

History Study Resources

What does it take to get a h1 in higher level history.

Elizabeth Hearst, a past pupil from The Institute of Education who achieved a H1 in Leaving Cert higher level history, tells us how she got top marks.

Elizabeth Hearst | How I Achieved My H1

Practice writing essays

It’s difficult to get an essay written in 42.5 minutes, but with practice you can learn how it’s done. We did weekly class tests, which I found really helped.

Study past papers

Familiarise yourself with the paper and the past questions that have been asked.

Make a plan

In the exam, it’s much easier if you know the structure of what you’re going to write, before you write it. Those 42.5 minutes go by incredibly quickly, so knowing your structure is key. When making my plan, I wrote out each important point that I wanted to make, in each of the essays that I prepared.

Writing essays

Aim for 3-5 quotes per essay. Examiners love this, as it shows depth rather than reeling off facts. Include interesting nuggets of information in all paragraphs. Write short paragraphs. Each paragraph is marked out of 12, so writing 2 short paragraphs and each scoring 6’s, is better than one long paragraph which could be awarded 9.

Reaction to 2023 History Exam

Each year, our exceptional teachers give their take on the Leaving Certificate higher level exam papers. Read what Susan Cashell, history teacher at The Institute of Education, had to say about the 2023 exam below.

Reaction to Leaving Certificate 2023 History (Higher Level) by Susan Cashell, history teacher at The Institute of Education.

The History paper is one that always requires students to write with time constraints in mind. Generally, the questions were straightforward. Occasionally a term might be unfamiliar but after a moment of composure and reflection the context of the question would provide the key.

Section 1: To start, the compulsory document question was the Sunningdale Agreement and the power-sharing executive, 1973-4. Many students would have been well-prepared for this and thus well-equipped to tackle the first three questions. Some might have paused before Question 4’s Contextualisation, which asked why the Agreement was so “divisive”, but ultimately this would have been manageable by adapting prepared material and reworking link sentences to fit the question.

Section 2: Ireland had an overarching question on how Cosgrave and De Valera handled Anglo-Irish relations. The broad scope of this question would really allow the practised student to show off their knowledge – which could be a challenge within the 42.5 minutes allowed for each question. Those looking to write another essay on the most popular area, Sovereignty, might have been stretched to find another question with the same flexibility. The question on the Northern Ireland Government and its challenges, or the question on the impact of the Eucharistic Congress and the Irish language, were options but were much less generous in their scopes.

Section 3: Europe and the Wider World had a great question on the characteristics of fascism. This would have been covered at the beginning of 5th Year, as it underpins the topic. Students who knew the specific examples of fascism could easily refine them into a response for the characteristics in general. Those wishing to focus on specifics were greeted by a very accessible question on Stalin. Many students would have anticipated and prepared for this and been relieved. For those looking to stand out from the crowd by taking the road less travelled, there was a rewarding question on France. While not appealing to everyone, if you had prepared that topic you really had a chance to shine. Those looking to answer on American history will have been well-served by racial inequality and the Moon landing.

The History course is large, varied, and demands a lot of writing but, on this paper, everyone had a chance to fairly represent themselves. In particular, those who were prepared to tackle three topics would have found something rewarding in each.

Sample Notes

Students who attend The Institute of Education are provided with exclusive, exam-focussed study notes to support their home study and revision. Below are a sample of the high-quality history notes they receive.

“If you’re aiming for a high grade, you need to pay attention to the DBQ.”

The Documents Based Question in the higher level history paper is worth 20% of your overall grade.

Susan Cashell, history teacher at The Institute of Education, steps through the ‘four C’s’ of the DBQ and explains how answering each part correctly can help you maximise your grade in the exam.

Susan Cashell, history teacher at The Institute of Education, shares her secrets to exam success.

Top Tips for the Exam

Practice, Practice, Practice!

How can you attempt this exam if you haven’t written under pressure? You should be doing a test two times every week. If this is not possible in your class, do it at home. Even if you find this difficult at the beginning you will get better at it.

Write fast!

This is an exam that rewards those who write fast and a lot ! You do not have a hope of a high grade if you only write three pages for an essay. Aim to write five.

Running out of time? Never spend longer than 42.5 minutes on a question. If you run out of time, leave a blank page and go on to the next question. If there is time you can go back. If you are under pressure near the end of the essay, make bullet points for the last two paragraphs and write out the conclusion.

Toilet breaks

Never bring fizzy drinks into the exam, sip water. Remember if you leave the exam hall for a toilet break the examiner will have to stamp your script when you leave and when you return. What a waste of your valuable writing time. You could have written that conclusion!

Research Study Report

Take the RSR seriously as it is worth 20% of your overall mark!

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Everything you need to study Leaving Cert History

The Leaving Cert History curriculum can be quite challenging for students as it is divided into 12 long topics and involves a lot of essay writing but don't worry Studyclix is here to make your learning easier!

What's involved?

Leaving Cert History is a challenging course and requires essay style answers. Good English skills, the ability to do research and an interest in History are all important if you do this subject. Here is a breakdown of how you will be assessed:

Written Exam (80%)

Research Study Report (20%)

The Written Exam

At both levels, the examination paper features a documents-based question (linked to the documents-based study) and three general questions. All four questions carry equal marks. The paper is 2 hours and 50 minutes long.

Here is a breakdown of the course content:

• Ireland & the Union
• Movements for political and social reform
• Sovereignty & the impact of partition
• The Irish diaspora
• Politics and society in Northern Ireland
• Republic - government, society, economy
• Nationalism and State Formation
• Nation states and international tensions
• Dictatorship and democracy
• Division and realignment in Europe
• European retreat from Empire and the aftermath
• The US and the World.

Research Study Report

Students must choose a research topic and write up their findings under three headings:

Outline Plan (15 marks)

Evaluation of the Sources (25 marks)

Extended Essay with a review of the research process (60 marks)

How to study History

History h1 guide.

To some, History can seem like a challenging subject. The amount of information that you're expected to know by the end of 6th year might feel overwhelming, however once you break down each topic into a select number of essay titles, the information required is actually much more manageable.

In this guide, Vicky goes through her tips and tricks on getting a H1 in this subject.

History RSR Project Guide

Study on your research project? No need to worry! Jamie, we has been teaching history and correcting state exams for over thirteen years, has you covered!

In this guide, he gives his tips on getting a H1 in the Leaving Cert History Research Study Report. You can find it here .

Sample Answers

It is no secret that History involves a lot of essay writing. For this reason, we've worked with teachers to create loads of sample History answers for you to study from!

However, at Studyclix we don't only have sample essays. We have gone a step further and created video content of teachers breaking down and analysing essays to make sure you understand how to properly answer the essay questions.

Here is a sample video to give you a better idea of what these videos are all about:

Here is how you can find our sample answers and essay breakdown videos:

Go to your Homepage.

Click the subject of  History.

Click on the topic you want to study.

Scroll down to see the videos and essays linked underneath the questions or find them in the 'videos and notes' tab!

Essay Writing Podcast Episode

For tips on essay writing check out this episode of the Studyclix Podcast! After years at Studyclix and working alongside expert teachers, Eimear and Nessa have picked up lots of tips and tricks for crafting the perfect essay. There is a formula for essay-writing that if you follow it, will make it so much easier on yourself so you don't waste time agonising over what to write.

To hear these great tips, listen below:

Have some ideas for more resources?

We are always looking for new ways to improve our site so we would love to hear your feedback. Get in touch by emailing [email protected] 😊