Leaving Certificate delight for Buncrana students

Almost 61,000 students received their results on Friday morning. This year marks were artificially boosted by 7.5% nationwide, which is similar to the class of 2023.

In Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana 126 pupils received their results and are relieved the Leaving Cert process is now finished.

It is a unique achievement for a school to have one student receiving top marks of 625 points, but this year Scoil Mhuire had two. Anastazja Malon and Patrick Coleman both achieved the maximum 625 points.

“Good and excited, happy with the results” said a modest Patrick.

“It took a lot of time studying but in the end it paid off. I’m now going to Queens to study computer science and maths” finished Patrick.

“I’m a bit shaken up but really happy” said Anastazja

“You’re constantly thinking about studying which isn’t great but in the end it is worth it. I’m hopefully going to UCD to study science” commented Anastazja.

Alan McDonagh is the first person from his family to complete the Leaving Cert.

“I’m surprised but very proud that I passed it,” said Alan.

He is planning on starting a barbering course in the North West Regional College in September. 

“First in my family to pass the leaving cert and the first in my family to finish school. It’s a massive achievement and they’re all proud of me” continued Alan.

Some sports students talked about how they balanced studying while playing sports at a high level by winning an All-Ireland medal for the school this year.

Michael Doherty, Daniel McMenamin, Sean McLaughlin and Oisin McIntyre. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Sean McLaughlin, Daniel McMenamin and Michael Doherty were all happy with their results. Sean is hoping to finance in Queens, Daniel is planning on doing sports and exercise in ATU Letterkenny and Michael is planning on going to Edinburgh to study agriculture.

“We tried to give a bit of time to both sport and study everyday rather than just trying to cram into one at once” said Sean.

Molly Barnett and Sophie Brogan are both really happy, a bit shocked but in general it was smiles all round when they got their results. Molly is excited to either go to Letterkenny or Derry to study business while Sophie is planning on going to Derry to study health and social care. 

Mícheál Clancy, deputy principal, Scoil Mhuire (Buncrana) with leaving cert students, on left Sophie Brogan, and Molly Barnett. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Dara McLaughlin is very happy with the results and is planning on going to Queens to study engineering. Donal Óg O’Brien is feeling relieved with his results. 

“I was worried the last few nights but now after getting them, I’m feeling relieved and have just become relaxed” said Donal.

Donal is taking a gap year this year and going away and hopes to begin in Limerick in 2025. 

Lucy Lavery and Shannon Fullerton are relieved and happy to know they passed, they were nervous on Friday morning beforehand but are happy with what they got. Lucy is planning on working this year and then applying to do primary school teaching in Belfast next year. Sophie is planning on going to Letterkenny to study business.

Leah Doherty, Emma McLaughlin, Leah Clinton, Ella McFadden

Outgoing principal Rosaleen Grant is absolutely elated to see the students do so well. 

“The results were better than ever before,” said Rosaleen.

“We have two students with maximum results and several students in excess of 600 points. For me, the biggest achievement is that we have 24 subjects achieving H1 grades.

“That means that the students and teachers are working together to achieve such high grades. 

“We also have a Leaving Cert Applied course and today, we had seven distinctions and seven merits - that again is brilliant for those students.

“At Scoil Mhuire, we experience success when students get the course or the career that they want. A lot of students intend studying in the north of Ireland so they’ll know today if they have achieved their place as they will have had conditional offers. Those that are waiting on the CAO will know next week if they got their places.

“I’m so proud of the school, the teachers, the parents and the class of 2024” concluded Rosaleen Grant.

Evelyn McLoughlin is the new incoming principal for the upcoming school year. She is delighted to be coming into a school with such a good academic record. 

“We are really happy to see students reach their full potential,” said Evelyn McLoughlin.

“Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and commitment, I wish them every success in their chosen pathway” finished Evelyn.

CAO round one offers will come out on Wednesday August 28.