There were butterflies, cheers, hugs and thankfully few tears this morning as Leaving Certificate students arrived at Dublin city centre schools to collect their long-awaited results.
The lads at CBS Synge Street, alma mater to Gay Byrne and Flann O'Brien, began arriving just before 9.30am. Envelopes were opened in huddled groups and, despite attempts to remain cool in the spotlight, grins were soon spreading across most faces.
Eighteen-year-old Stephen Warren from the South Circular Road was pleased with his 420 points and particularly happy to have achieved an A1 in higher level English.
"I did better in some things than I thought and did slightly worse in others so it kind of evened out in the end and it's pretty much what I expected. My first choice was Law in Trinity but that's 550 points. What I have should be enough for either business or accounting in DIT, though," he said.
Business, management and marketing courses were very popular with Synge Street's students, although bucking the trend was Mateem Khan (17) who is hoping to study science at UCD.
A beaming Mateem told Ireland.comthat he was just relieved it was all over and, although quietly confident, would have to wait until next week to see if he'd managed enough points.
The mood at Loreto College on St. Stephen's Green was giddy as girls leaped around and embraced each other, seemingly delighted with their achievements.
Jocelyn Adair (19), Hannah Dolan (18) and Rhona Boyle (18) all said that they had done better than expected and were looking forward to heading off to college.
"I did great and I'm very happy," said Hannah. "I'm going to study Arts in UCD and am thinking about taking English, French, History and maybe Politics."
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A happy Ruta Zrielsklene (20). Photo: Barry Malone. |
Ruta Zrielsklene (20) from Lithuania stood outside Liberties College on Bull Alley Street calming down with a cigarette after a stressful morning. A lone mother of two young children, Camilla (4) and David (3), Ruta had sometimes found it difficult to make time to study but said that she had succeeded with a lot of help from her father, her friends and her teachers.
"I didn't expect to do so well so I'm very happy. I did everything for my two kids and I'm going to Rathmines College to study business now," she said, still smiling.
Ruta and her teacher, Ann Weber, were particularly proud of her A in history. "I know all about Irish history now - Parnell, DeValera, the Easter Rising," she laughed.
Many of the students at the college had returned to education after dropping out of school in their teenage years and, according to the head of the secondary school, Pat Garry, most of these would now be attending third level education.
However, not everyone received good news and, as always, there were those who were disappointed. Students wishing to discuss their options can call The Irish TimesCollege Helpline freefone on 1800 946 942.
The line is open today and tomorrow for expert advice and information from 8am to 8pm and will open again next Monday and Tuesday when the CAO offers are made.