Leaving Certificate students armed with hot-off-the-press examination results whooped it up in Dublin last night, descending on any pubs and night-spots which would have them.
On this landmark evening for excited teenagers, the points race turned into the pints race. For many of them, however, negotiating admission to late night haunts proved another of life's obstacles.
Some students complained at the prices being charged by nightclubs around the city on their celebratory night and the tough policy being adopted by bouncers.
"If you show them ID proving that you're 18, they say it's 21s only or 23s and over. You can't win," complained Shane Smith (18), from Old Bawn School, Tallaght.
"We got two taxis in for O'Connell Street and also for a nightclub, but we were going around in circles, we couldn't get in anywhere."
Kevin Murphy (18), of Blakestown Community School, said some clubs were charging £10 and that students could still face demands for ID when they reached the bar.
Many of last night's revellers were simply high on their own success stories and expressed surprise at the results they had nervously waited for. Most criticised the points system, which in some cases had brought disappointment despite their achievements.
Neil Fitzpatrick (18), from Ashfield College, Templeogue, got six honours and a pass in maths, amassing around 400 points. "I was hoping to do PE, but you need 500 points for that. I'm pleased, though, and I'll probably do auctioneering at the Dublin Institute of Technology."
John Paul Regan (18), from Blakestown Community School, said he clocked up 365 points, falling just 10 points short of his required total to study Arts at Maynooth College. However, he, like many, was philosophical.
"I suppose I will repeat. It looks as if that is what I will have to do," he said.
Simone Warbrick (18), from Rathgar High School, got five passes, despite periods away from school due to illness. She has a place on a legal secretary course at Rathmines Senior College
"It's what I really wanted to do, but I didn't think I would get the results," she said.
Her friend Jennifer Sinnamon (18) was delighted with her four honours and three passes and was planning to study stenography. As for the post-match celebrations, she was unimpressed.