Enhancing Leaving Certificate History with Oireachtas.ie (PP)

Enhancing Leaving Certificate History with Oireachtas.ie 

DATE :    Wednesday 7th January 2026
TIME :     7.00pm - 8.00pm
VENUE : Online via Zoom

Target Audience : Post Primary History Teachers

This webinar will explore how teachers can use the resources available on www.oireachtas.ie to support the teaching of Topic 6: Government, Economy and Society in the Republic of Ireland, 1949–1989, and to guide students through their Research Study Report (RSR).

Participants will be introduced to the site’s rich archive of primary sources, including Dáil and Seanad debates, legislation, committee reports, and member profiles. The session will demonstrate how these materials can be used to deepen students’ understanding of political, economic, and social developments in post-war Ireland, and to foster independent research skills.

Learning Outcomes - By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Navigate and utilise key sections of the Oireachtas website relevant to the Leaving Certificate History syllabus.
• Identify and integrate primary source materials into lessons on Topic 6 to enhance historical understanding.
• Support students in selecting and analysing sources for their Research Study Report (RSR).
• Develop strategies for teaching source evaluation and historical interpretation using authentic parliamentary records.
• Promote independent learning and critical thinking through the use of digital archives.

Bio of Presenter: Conor Reale

Dr. Conor Reale is a former history teacher with a strong passion for civic education and Irish political history. He currently works as the parliamentary education officer, where he develops educational resources and programmes that promote engagement with the democratic process. Conor specialises in helping teachers and students explore the workings of the Oireachtas and the evolution of government and society in modern Ireland. Part of his work focuses on making parliamentary records and archives accessible and relevant to classroom teaching, particularly in support of Topic 6 of the Leaving Certificate History syllabus and the Research Study Report (RSR).