St Finian’s principal commends whole school contribution
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Thomasina Maxwell and her daughter Katie Reynolds, and Rosie O’Grady and her mother Jillian O’Grady. Katie hopes to study environmental science in Cork, and Rosie is “praying for podiatry in Galway”. Jillian said: “Please think of the mammies until we get through to Wednesday and the CAO!”Image 2 of 9
Edward Greene, who was “absolutely delighted” with his results; he got what he needed for teaching of history and religion at Maynooth, with his mother Angela Green from Clonkill; and Ava and Barry Glynn from Ballynacargy. Edward and Ava are both hoping to do the same course at Maynooth.Image 3 of 9
Matthew Reynolds from Mullingar with his parents Elaine and Derek at St Finian’s College on Friday morning. Matthew was pleased with his Leaving results and has enough for the course he’s aiming for, general entry at TUD Grangegorman.Image 4 of 9
Aodhán Malone with his parents Joanne Leavey and John Malone and his brother Michael. Aodhán is aiming to do marine engineering in Ringaskiddy, Cork. His interest in that area he puts down to doing “a bit of sailing with my dad”. The family have been to visit the National Maritime College of Ireland and were impressed with the facility.Image 5 of 9
Jenny Judge, home economics teacher at St Finian’s College, with Leaving Cert students, Ailbhe O’Farrell, who is hoping to study home economics teaching in Waterford; Chloe Wallace, who is aiming for primary school teaching in DCU; and Edel Sheerin, who wants to do podiatry in Galway.Image 6 of 9
Áine Kirby, guidance counsellor at St Finian’s, who was “delighted to see the students back here today, all happy – there are loads of different paths and lots of opportunities available to them, and I’m delighted for them”; with Grace Bracken from Ballinalack, who wants to study biology and ag science in Limerick; Grace Downs from Multyfarnham, who is hoping for business and law in UCD; and Hannah Boyle from Ballycomoyle, who is hoping to do architecture in TUD.Image 7 of 9
Sam Connaughton, who wants to study nutrition in Athlone; Ryan Bell is hoping for sport science in UCD; Ciarán O’Donnell, Ringtown, who is going to Athlone to study mechanical engineering; Sam McNally, who wants to study the teaching of history and English in Maynooth; and Mark Sugrue, who wants to study the teaching of history in DCU.Image 8 of 9
St Finian’s College head boy Alfie Murray from Gaybrook and head girl Abigail O’Connor, Mullingar, with Ms Carey, deputy principal. Alfie was as the school with his mother Alma on Friday morning; he said he would like to study the teaching of history and religion – “hopefully I might be able to come back here in a few years, if Ms Carey will take me back”. Abigail is hoping to study physio in Dublin.Image 9 of 9
Students Fiadh McColgan, who is hoping to study “communications in DCU and go into radio”; and Lynne Clarke, who wants to study nursing in Galway; with deputy principal Ashling Ryan, Ruth Coloe, a former pupil at St Finian’s and now Irish teacher there; and Ray McHugh, Leaving Cert year head. Mr McHugh said: “We’re very proud of our students, to see them reaching their potential. I think the Leaving Cert gives them great confidence, having got over this hurdle, for future careers, and for life.”The excellent results in the Leaving Cert 2026 are “testament to the dedication, hard work, and resilience that our students have put in since they came to our school, over the five or six years”, said John McHale, principal of St Finian’s College on Friday morning.
Mr McHale, deputy principals Ashling Ryan and Emma Carey, and other members of staff were at the school hall to welcome students and their families arriving to mark what is an important day in school life.
Mr McHale continued: “I want to pay tribute to our exceptional teachers and special needs assistants, who go above and beyond in their commitment to the students. And also, I want to pay tribute to the parents for their steadfast support over the duration of their sons’ and daughters’ lives in our school. “The important point is that what comes out of the envelope today is not the full picture, and it doesn’t define you. Our students have unique talents, and there are lots of opportunities where they can develop those and fulfil their potential, whether it’s college, the world of work, or apprenticeships.”
He said young people need to be aware that there are many areas where they can develop – “the PLCs are important for their education, because they will lead to skill development and accreditation. You can even go to a PhD if you go through that circuitous route.” Three students at St Finian’s achieved more than 600 points in the Leaving; a large number have more than 500. “We have a huge range of ability here, and from talking to the students and looking at the results, I would say that an awful lot of students have fulfilled their potential,” Mr McHale concluded.