Orla Kelleghan, Tommy Sherin, and Oscar Treacy attended Columba College, Killucan on Friday as students met up for the big reveal of Leaving Cert results.

Excitement in Columba College as students gather

Published: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 10:00 AM

The excitement in the corridors of Columba College was palpable on Friday morning as the Leaving Cert students of the class of ‘25 gathered for the final time.

Though the results were available online since 10am, many pupils held off until they attended the school at midday.

Some didn’t have their exam number to hand for the online results, but the majority wanted the formal ceremony of being handed the white envelope by principal Dermot Brady.

A giddy nervousness shimmered through the young men and women waiting outside the principal office for the results: “A lot of those students have logged on already, but still want to come in to meet their friends, to meet the staff and just to get that pat on the back and be told well done,” school principal Dermot Brady told the Examiner.

The shared excitement between teachers and students was evident: “I suppose it’s the one standout of our school, the students and teachers get on very well. They know each other well. It’s lovely to see that interaction between a student and a teacher. The teachers are proud of the work that they put in with the students and proud of the results the students get.”

The joy outside the principal’s office indicates that many of the pupils were delighted with their results: “I’m a big believer in ‘what you put in you get out’. It doesn’t matter if it’s exams or on a sporting field. Whatever journey you take in life, if you work hard you get the results. We’re quite happy that our students worked hard and got the results that they deserved.”

The next path for the young adults who progress from second level education now presents itself: “There are students here going on for apprenticeships, or have apprenticeships already lined up. One student is going to Athlone to pursue a career in computer software development – there are many different career paths and directions. Even if students are still unsure, well that’s okay. They can take the time to enjoy the results, before sitting down to make the right choice that suits them.

Mr Brady concluded by thanking the unsung heroes of the day: “I want to thank the mothers and fathers for their support towards the school. To thank our teaching staff for their hard work with the students. We have a new cohort of first years starting in the school today and we’ll be doing this with them in five or six years’ time.”