Top marks for Claremorris student

Top marks for Claremorris student


Michael Commins

Last Wednesday was a special day for St Colman’s College student John Nolan. He came among the tops in Mayo with a maximum of 600 points. John secured six A1’s and an A2.
A lot of hard work and long hours paid off for the young student who was delighted with the outcome. His subjects were Irish, English, French, Maths, Geography, Chemistry and Biology.
John, who is son Con and Carmel Nolan, Dalton Street, Claremorris, will now commence actuary studies at UCD in September.
In St Colman’s, the famous nursery of gaelic football over the years, there was much joy and relief generally when the results of the Leaving Cert became known on Wednesday morning.
Áine McGrath, who is career guidance counsellor at the college, said they were extremely pleased with the outcome this year. “Together with the truly exceptional performance of John Nolan who received the maximum of 600 points, we were delighted with the overall results. The lads were very happy and there was a great air of excitement and relief around the place.”
There to meet and greet them and see them off was retiring principal Danny McHugh. This was more or less his final duty as principal before Jimmy Finn takes over the reins at the end of this week. Danny took over as school principal when these lads were in first year and it was perhaps fitting that his own cycle in charge started and concluded with the same group of lads six years later.

Mount St Michael in Claremorris, long regarded as one of the top schools in the province, has plenty to smile about yet again. Students at the school recorded the highest results in a long time and this was reflected right across the board.
School principal, Fhionnghuala King, referred to the media hype around the announcement of the Leaving Cert results. “Much of the hype of the day is media driven and is unique to Ireland. There is never any fuss about third level exam results. While the media hype has become part of the occasion, the atmosphere around the schools is totally different and is usually very nice and calm. The vast majority manage and get by without any extra stress at all.
“We are delighted with the results here in the school. Some of the girls worked very hard and it paid off. Others took the easier route and got their rewards too. Some of our very high achievers from the Junior Cert carried through to the Leaving Cert and once again excelled with their results.
“We have also noticed an increasing number showing interest in some of the English colleges. While some of them may be doing so to keep their options open, there is definitely a greater awareness of the places available in England,” said Fhionnghuala King. She also acknowledged that points for a whole range of courses were likely to increase this year.