Junior Certificate students from Leitrim presented with Special Irish Recognition Awards

University of Galway has presented students who achieved a distinction, between 90% and 100%, in their higher level Irish Junior Certificate examination with a Special Irish Recognition Award.

Over 100 students from Donegal, Clare, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon and Galway attended a special event in the Bailey Allen Hall in University of Galway to recognise and celebrate their achievements.

Clodagh Ní Dháilagh and Thomas McKeon from Drumshanbo Vocational School, with University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh and University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh.

These students are among the 2.6% of students across the country who achieved a distinction in the higher level T2 Irish paper, or the 3.6% of students who achieved a distinction in the higher level T1 paper in the 2022 Junior Certificate examinations.

University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh welcomed the students and their families and also congratulated the teachers and principals from the 36 schools they are attending while recognising the hard work being done in the schools.

“I am very pleased that we can give the next generation of Irish speakers the respect and recognition they deserve, particularly as the Irish language is so important to us here at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe and that it is such a central part of our identity.”

Students from Carrick-on-Shannon Community School, Ruadhan Henry, (front row) Tess Kane, Sarah Mullaney and Hanora Brady, with their teachers and University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh and University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh.

Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh also congratulated the students saying: “You should all be very proud of yourselves. You are exceptional students, with exceptional ability in the Irish language, and you are all a great source of encouragement to us as we can rest assured that the future of the Irish language is in safe hands.”

The importance of thriving Irish-speaking communities in the Gaeltacht and beyond is recognised in the University’s first Irish language strategy, A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-2025, which was launched in July 2021.

These communities were given due recognition at this event with the University fulfilling its role in leading higher education in the Irish language and showing Irish speakers respect, as is set out in the Strategy.