What is Religious Education about?
Junior Cycle Religious Education introduces students to the rich diversity of religious traditions and non‑religious worldviews found in Ireland and around the world. The course explores questions of meaning, identity, values, and morality, helping students understand how different belief systems shape people’s lives and communities. Topic vary from Origins of World Religions to The Search for Human Meaning and Morality and Making Moral Decisions.
Senior Cycle Religious Education builds on students’ earlier learning by exploring deeper questions about meaning, ethics, philosophy, and the role of religion and worldviews in contemporary society. The course encourages students to think critically about complex issues such as human rights, justice, morality, and the relationship between religion, culture, and modern life. Students engage with a wide range of perspectives — religious, philosophical, and secular — in a balanced and inclusive way.
Why study Religious Education?
Religious Education invites students to explore the beliefs, values, and traditions that shape individuals, communities, and cultures. It encourages curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking as students examine the role of religion and worldviews in today’s society. Religious Education supports students in understanding the diverse beliefs that shape our society while developing their own sense of identity, values, and voice.
Our learning approach is active, student‑centred, and inquiry‑driven. Lessons are designed to be inclusive of all students, regardless of background or belief. Approaches include:
Critical thinking — exploring big questions, analysing ideas, and evaluating different viewpoints
Communication skills — expressing opinions clearly through discussion, debate, and reflective writing
Research and enquiry — investigating topics, gathering evidence, and developing independent learning skills
Ethical reasoning — examining moral issues and learning how to make thoughtful, well‑considered judgments
Cultural and religious literacy — understanding diverse worldviews and how they shape people and societies
Empathy and respect — engaging with others’ beliefs and experiences in an open‑minded, inclusive way
Personal reflection — exploring identity, values, and personal perspectives
Collaboration — working with others on projects, presentations, and inquiry‑based tasks
Students complete two Classroom‑Based Assessments as part of Junior Cycle Religious Education.
CBA 1: A Person of Commitment allows students to research and present the life and work of a person who has made a positive impact on their community or the wider world. They explore the values, motivations, and beliefs that shaped this person’s actions.
CBA 2: The Human Search for Meaning invites students to investigate a big question about life, identity, or human experience. Through inquiry and reflection, they examine different religious and non‑religious perspectives and present their findings in a creative and thoughtful way.
In Leaving Cert Religious Education, students complete an individual research project worth 20% of their final grade. Students choose one research question from the given four, gather and analyse evidence, and present their findings in a structured and reflective report. The project encourages independent learning, critical thinking, and thoughtful engagement with real‑world questions, giving students the opportunity to explore an area they are genuinely curious about.