The wait is over for around 1,300 school-leavers across Clare, who are digesting their Leaving Cert results this afternoon.
They’re among close to 59,000 nationwide who have been finding out their grades today, with college offers to follow on Thursday.
A nervous wait came to an end at schools across the country earlier, just over two months after the Leaving Cert exam itself began.
From early this morning, principals were out in force collecting their school’s results and sorting through them in time for the school-leavers to show up at 9 o’clock.
Principal of Coláiste Muire in Ennis Jean Pound says they’re happy with their batch this year.
This year’s results are said to be broadly in line with previous years, with five students nationwide earning the top marks of eight H1 grades.
More students than ever have taken higher level subjects this year, though the ordinary level maths failure rate is on the rise.
Rice College pupil John Brennan achieved one of the highest results in his year and despite some nerves earlier, is now looking forward to getting started in college next month and of course, tonight’s celebrations.
John isn’t the only one celebrating today – pupils from schools right across the county town are breathing a sigh of relief.
While for many, it will be a day of celebrations, there will be many more who are feeling disappointed today.
But Father Ignatius McCormack of St Flannan’s College is reminding anyone who is in this situation that there are many ways into the working world.
And Principal of Rice College Louis Mulqueen says it’s vital that those who are disappointed reach out for help – and for people to look out for their friends who may not have achieved what they wanted.
Meanwhile, Gardaí are urging Clare school leavers to celebrate responsibly, if they’re heading out socilising tonight.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Tríona O’Rourke has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that there’s a number of steps people can take to ensure they stay safe tonight.
