Families celebrate first Leaving Cert results at Dunamase College Portlaoise

A Laois secondary school has celebrated its very first Leaving Cert results day, with a family like atmosphere for the students.

There were 36 students getting their results at the bilingual Dunamase College / Coláiste Dhún Másc in Portlaoise, the first cohort to ever sit the exams at the school which was founded only seven years ago.

Out of the 36, three got over 600 points, and another 7 over 500 points.

While many schools only saw handfuls of students call in thanks to the new system of emailing results directly to them, for the Dunamase it was a full house in their halla, with families and students gathering to enjoy refreshments and balloons for the big day.

Among their top scorers was Rachel Ann Marshall from Portlaoise, with 577 points, including H1s in Biology and English and H2s in everything else.

"It felt like a class exam because it was just my class, so I was relaxed and not too stressed during the exams. I was putting myself down last night with worry, but I was very happy when I woke up and saw the results," she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Her top choice is medicine, in particular pathology.

"I really like the problem solving, crime solving aspect, that probably comes from watching movies. After that, any branch of science, in Galway as I'd like to continue speaking Irish. I have family there and I would live in the Gaeltacht. I'm very excited," she said.

Like many of the 36, she has had the same classmates since Junior Infants at Gaelscoil Phort Laoise.

"it really is so odd to think I won't be in the same class, I'll be in with so many people, but new adventures and all that," Rachel Ann said.

Tara Armstrong from Portlaoise is happy with her 556 points.

"I got H1s in all my languages so I'm very happy with that. I never had a maths mind but languages seem to stick. I know my classmates for 14 years too. Definitely having Irish helped me with learning Spanish," she said.

She plans to pursure a career involving her love of horses, is a member of Kilmon Riding School in Stradbally.

Below: Tara Armstrong with dad Neil and sister Orlaith who is in TY at Dunamase College.

Tadhg Duffin from Portlaoise is delighted with 442 points.

"My course is 336 points, an arts degree in Maynooth. Hopefully after that I want to do an MA and become a Music and Irish teacher," he said.

Tadhg also came to the secondary school from the local gaelscoil, and is already playing music professionally.

"I play gigs in town, I sing and play guitar. This weekend I'll be taking it handy instead and doing some celebrating," he said.

His whole family came to the Leaving Cert results celebrations in Dunamase College, pictured below are Billy, Oisín, Aoife, Fiadh, Tadhg, Ciarán and Eoin Duffin.

Below: Leaving Cert student Alex McKeon from Stradbally who got 495 points (centre) with her twin brothers James and Edward and parents at Dunamase College.

The principal of Dunamase College / Coláiste Dhún Másc is Dympna Kelly.

"The results were really exceptional. They are a fantastic group of students to work with. They really did lead the way for the rest of the school. They took the juniors under their wing and were so helpful and nice.

Many of her students study through Irish in the Aonad wing of the school.

"Some are in school together since baby infants, they have helped set the culture here of tradition and family. 

"This is their first state exam like every other leaving cert student in the country, although sitting the mocks helped. The teachers were all conscious of that.

"On behalf of all the staff I want to congratulate the class of 2023. It is even more of an achievement as they are our first group of Leaving Certs and as such had no benchmark. They have certainly set the standard high. Many plan to study law, medicine and teaching.

'Wonderful achievements' among Leaving Cert students in Laois school

"The support their families have shown to them and the school should also be recognised, they took the leap of faith back in 2017. Whatever their journey is, we send them every good wish. Go n-eirí go geal libh agus rath Dé oraibh don todhchaí," Ms Kelly said.

The school will not stay small for long, with 110 new First Years this year, making it 580 pupils and growing. They are promised a purpose built new school by September 2026 in Portlaoise for 1,000 pupils.