The geography papers received almost perfect reviews from students and teachers, but reservations were expressed about an ordnance survey question which featured Kinsale.
According to Mr Jackie Brennan, of Rockbrook Park School in Dublin, an expert with skoool.ie, the Leaving Cert higher-level paper was very fair, apart from this blemish.
"It contained a good spread of questions with no real shocks or major surprises. It allowed the student who had done some work to display their knowledge," he said.
Students were particularly happy that Italy, hotly tipped, came up in the regional section. "In fact Italy could also have been used to answer question Q5(d) on Mediterranean agriculture. A nod to the Nice Treaty debate was given in Q5(a) which asked how possible enlargement of the EU into Eastern Europe may affect Ireland," said Mr Brennan.
Mr James Staunton, ASTI representative at Sligo Grammar School, said students were unhappy with the map question, particularly Leaving Cert higher level, which asked about "port related activities" in Kinsale. He said that while there was a marina there, it hardly amounted to a port and students were left with little to write about.
Mr Billy Fitzpatrick, a TUI teacher based in Crumlin, Dublin, said there was very little evidence from the map of how the coast was important to Kinsale. One teacher put it another way. "I think the town is more noted for its restaurants, to be honest."
The ordinary level paper was welcomed by most students, with the glacial question particularly popular. The Junior Cert paper won praise for its colour images and diagrams.
