Teachers' Resources | Heritage in Schools

Teachers' Resources

Teach your pupils how to build a giant nest, create a butterfly garden or make their own family tree!

The resources provided here have been submitted by Heritage Experts, teachers or prepared by other educational organisations. The resources are both fun and educational and are designed to inspire and develop an appreciation and curiosity about Ireland’s wonderful natural and cultural heritage.

Resources can be searched for under the following categories:

History

Travelling Voices

Story (History), Local studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

A 20 minute video filmed in July and August, 2022 highlighting the rich culture and heritage of the travelling community in Co. Wexford.

Traditional singer, researcher, folklore collector and Heritage in Schools Specialist Rachel Uí Fhaoláin (Ceol Mo Chroí) and Digital Storyteller/Filmmaker John Ó Faoláin (Traditional Archive Channel) worked with the travelling community in Co. Wexford in association with Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) and the Heritage Council.

Participating children engaged in hands-on learning with the two artists and very open discussions around further opportunities for the travelling community in areas of filming, sound, lighting, traditional song, storytelling, performance, recording/archiving etc.

The learning outcomes included the development of important digital skills while exploring the importance of sharing and archiving the songs, language, customs & traditions which are passed onto the children from the older members of their families down through the generations.

The project was funded by the Heritage Council through the Heritage in Schools Summer Programme for 2022.

Ogham Stones in Ireland

Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History) History

Before people in Ireland starting writing in manuscripts made of vellum they wrote on other materials, primarily stone, in a writing system called ogham. Our earliest ogham inscriptions on stone are dated on linguistic grounds to between the 4th and the 7th century AD. Over 400 known examples of ogham stones and fragments of various shapes and sizes have survived, each with their own unique biography or story.

The ogham publication by Dr Nora White is part of the Heritage Council Our Ancient Landscapes series and follows on from the 2020 publication on prehistoric rock art. This latest publication features high quality colour illustrations from Ken Williams, the National Monuments Service, the National Museum of Ireland, the Discovery Programme and Dr Nora White.

Dr Nora White was Principal Investigator on the Ogham in 3D project (https://ogham.celt.dias.ie). She is currently a Postdoctoral researcher on the Irish Research Council/UK Arts and Humanities Research Council funded OG(H)AM project in the Department of Early Irish at Maynooth University. She has been a member of the Heritage Council’s Heritage in Schools panel since 2018 and has been leading the Knockboy church, Co Waterford, Adopt a Monument conservation project.

The Book of Kells children's animations

Story (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History) History

Specially devised animations to introduce children to The Book of Kells and The Long Room in a simple and fun way.

Multi-user friendly children’s animations packed full of adventure and colourful characters. Seagull Seagull and The Very Long Room are designed to be enjoyed by everyone, including deaf audiences and audiences with low vision.

These animations were produced with funding from The Heritage Council.

Visit The Book of Kells to access these and other resources.

Computer Scientists:History-at-home with EPIC

Life, society, work and culture in the past (History) History

Discover the Irishwoman who helped invent the first general purpose computer and tracked missiles during WWII, and learn how to become a computer programmer yourself. Jam-packed with ‘unplugged’ quizzes, puzzles and activities for children 8+.

EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum has developed a series of virtual educational experiences, from downloadable history-at-home packs to online workshops/lectures and informative videos. Look, learn, and create together with fun, engaging programmes for students of all ages.

See more at: https://epicchq.com/education/..

Explorers: History-at-home with EPIC

Story (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History) History

Unearth the world of Irish Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, concoct your own Arctic snowstorm and uncover the Irishwoman who became Britain’s first female commercial pilot. Includes puzzles, quizzes and games for children 8+.

EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum has developed a series of virtual educational experiences, from downloadable history-at-home packs to online workshops/lectures and informative videos. Look, learn, and create together with fun, engaging programmes for students of all ages.

See more at: https://epicchq.com/education/...

Easter Rising: History-at-home with EPIC

Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Eras of change and conflict (History), Politics, conflict and society (History) History

Discover some of Ireland’s quirkiest Easter traditions, explore the world of Easter Rising leader Roger Casement and learn how to draw up your own Proclamation. Includes puzzles, quizzes and games for children 8+.

EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum has developed a series of virtual educational experiences, from downloadable history-at-home packs to online workshops/lectures and informative videos. Look, learn, and create together with fun, engaging programmes for students of all ages.

See more at: https://epicchq.com/education/...

Genealogy: History-at-home with EPIC

Local studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

Discover the fascinating world of genealogy, its history & how it’s used today. Discover how your budding genealogy detectives can put together your family tree with the help of the family. Includes puzzles, quizzes & games for children 8+.

EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum has developed a series of virtual educational experiences, from downloadable history-at-home packs to online workshops/lectures and informative videos. Look, learn, and create together with fun, engaging programmes for students of all ages.

See more at: https://epicchq.com/education/...

The Great Famine: History-at-home with EPIC

Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Eras of change and conflict (History), Politics, conflict and society (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

Discover the conditions and circumstances that led to The Great Famine of 1845 – 1852, and caused the death of 1 million people and another 1.5 million to leave Ireland. Includes puzzles, quizzes and games for children 8+.

EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum has developed a series of virtual educational experiences, from downloadable history-at-home packs to online workshops/lectures and informative videos. Look, learn, and create together with fun, engaging programmes for students of all ages.

See more at: https://epicchq.com/education/...

Viking Age Dublin - walking tour and activity book

Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Eras of change and conflict (History), Politics, conflict and society (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

A self-guided walking tour of Viking Dublin aimed at 8-12 year olds with activities, riddles and games.

It is a natural fit with the SESE History curriculum as it covers many of the strands from Early Peoples and Ancient Societies, to Story, to Life, society, work, and culture in the past, and Continuity and Change over time. It engages children with assessing evidence, understanding chronology, and expanding communication skills under the Working as a Historian skills and concept development.

This project is a collaboration between academics from Dublin, Cambridge, Nottingham and London, with the assistance of Dublinia, the National Museum, Dublin City Council and the School of Irish Archaeology.

Let's go Fishing!: Beth Murphy

Natural environments (Geography), Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Materials (Science) Science, History, Geography

An introduction to the ancient world of weaving and basket making including step-by-step instruction from Beth on how to weave a fish from willow or materials you might have at home.

A story to tell: Chris Thompson

Natural environments (Geography), Story (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Energy and forces (Science) Science, History, Geography

Children are encouraged to examine the heritage significance of their immediate environment through familiar local landscape features.

Suited to children from 2nd to 4th class.

The example of an old tree is used in this tutorial. The activity encourages children to consider questions about past, present and future through personification and the creation of an unusual pictorial poem at the same time. The activity can be applied to other local features, a road, an old building etc.

Time travel adventure: Áine Brosnan

Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Politics, conflict and society (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

There are old school houses in most communities so this is a very accessible monument type and this exercise aims to get the children thinking about what was different and what was similar long ago.

Suitable for children from 3rd to 6th class.

The heritage of hats: Mark Wilson

Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History

By finding everyday items we can learn the heritage of our locality, the tools and items which we can find within our own house holds and the history and use that is attached to them to enhance our learning and future lifestyle.

Suited to children and adults of all ages.

Discover the Walled Towns of Ireland: a workbook for primary school children

Human environments (Geography), Story (History), Local studies (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Eras of change and conflict (History), Politics, conflict and society (History), Continuity and change over time (History) History, Geography

The Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN) was formed by the Heritage Council in 2005 to help the walled towns of Ireland become better places in which to live, work and visit. The island of Ireland has 56 known walled towns, 29 of which have joined the IWTN.

A lovely workbook for primary school children introducing them to the the walled towns of Ireland.

The Irish Tree Trail

Natural environments (Geography), Local studies (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science) Science, History, Geography

Join Eanna Ní Lamhna, as she takes you on a journey exploring the native trees of Ireland.

This film was produced in cooperation with Orla Farrell of Easy Treesie.

Easy Treesie's goal is for every child in Ireland to plant a tree and to sponsor one in the Global South. A million trees by December 2023. Read more at http://easytreesie.weebly.com/...