Geography

Geography is a broad, interesting and very relevant subject, concerned primarily with the study of people and the world around them. A study of geography should help students develop a deeper understanding of their physical and human environment. Through their study of this subject, students should develop a range of geographical skills that should help them make informed judgments about issues at local, national and international levels.

The subject is taught in a variety of ways using everything from ‘chalk and talk’ through role-play to PowerPoint or geographykeynote presentations using a Digital Projector. Fieldwork is a key element of Geography allowing the students to develop their skills away from the classroom. The students are encouraged to participate in their own learning, to develop active study skills and to achieve at the highest level. Indeed, almost all students take the subject at Honours level at which they do so successfully. All students take Geography to the Junior Certificate, a course that is both wide-ranging and interesting.

The students also take the subject in Transition Year where many topics such as Ordnance Survey, Environmental and River Studies can be explored in more depth than is possible in the examination syllabus of Junior and Leaving Certificates. The extensive use of computers and the Internet is just one of the many innovative teaching and learning techniques that are utilised at this level. Fieldwork is an integral part of the Transition year programme.

At the Leaving Certificate Level, the uptake of Geography is one of choice and more than half of all the students in fifthburren and sixth years have chosen the subject. Again, almost all students pursue the subject at Honours Level and do so successfully. The syllabus was revised recently and first examined in 2006. The Geographical Investigation (fieldwork) now accounts for 20% of the marks for Geography in the Leaving certificate. The remaining 80% is earned in the written examination which is 2 hours and 50 minutes long. Finally, a student of Geography should develop a sensitivity to people of other cultures, be aware of the importance of conservation and should acquire a knowledge and understanding of their physical and human surroundings, through the utilisation of the skills of spatial awareness, investigation and evaluation, presentation and communication.

Ordnance Survey | Leaving Cert Course

Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice

The Geography Department, with the guiding hand of Sheila Diffley took off for Iceland in November (2008) break – to explore the wonders of the island. An adventure it was, from the moment we arrived in the middle of a snow-storm, to the jeep safari onto lava fields, past glaciers and over ice-caps. The highlight was the trip to the continental divide along the Mid-Atlantic ridge, where the plates were presented to us in all their glory – a magnificent winter landscape. We enjoyed trips onto the high snow fields, and along the coastal plains that reached to the horizon and beyond. The volcanic features reminded us of the relative youth of the island (16million years) – and the Blue Lagoon lived up to its reputation and all enjoyed the warm waters and the rejuvinating mud-facials. We came back determined to return to this incredible landscape and the friendly Icelanders – an inspiration to all Geographers.

The Stars at Night

My favourite moment on the Iceland trip was the night we went to see the Northern Lights. After dinner we took our off-road bus and travelled 20 minutes outside of Rekyjavik to a barren landscape. The weather was not cold enough to see the Northern Lights but what we did see took me by surprise. The stars were sparkling 180 degrees across the sky. It was an unbelievable sight. We saw the Milky Way and the constellations such as The Plough and Pliades, which are never quite so brilliant in Dublin. It was like the Planetarium in London but so much better! Even though we only stayed for about 15 minutes it was the most beautiful part of the Iceland trip.