Louth students receive Leaving Certificate awards

The annual LMETB Academic Awards Ceremony for outstanding achievement in Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied Examinations 2025 took place in the Gateway Hotel, Dundalk on Friday 23 January 2026.

Former LMETB students, their parents/guardians, principals, deputy principals, teachers and their extended family and friends were all on hand to celebrate.

Opening the ceremony, Ms. Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools, LMETB welcomed all and stated that “this awards evening is a very special occasion for everyone present as we are reflecting on, celebrating and acknowledging the successes and achievements of our students and also thanking our school leaders and their teams of teaching staff for the role they have played in assisting, guiding and supporting our award winners here this evening to move to the next phase of their education career or to enter into the world of work.”

Ms. Kindlon also addressed the award winners saying: “You symbolise everything we aim to do in LMETB around educating people to very high standards. You are role models and ambassadors for LMETB.”

READ NEXT: Louth graduates of first higher education apprentices in land-based sectors

Ms. Kindlon also wished the award winners well in their studies with those present having now progressed to Degree courses, Post Leaving Certificate Courses and Apprenticeships.

Above: Thomas Sharkey, Principal, Coláiste Chú Chulainn, Rachel Ní Channan and Neasa Ní Chonluain with Lorcán Garvin, Michelle Nowak and Connall McCaffrey who received awards at the LMETB Academic Awards Ceremony 2026 held in the Gateway Hotel, Dundalk. Photos by Ken Finegan/Newspics Photography

Ms. Kindlon acknowledged and congratulated the group on the diverse pathways being followed including Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Biotechnology, Modern Languages, Maths, Business, History, Irish, Law, Psychology, Pharmacy, Music, Music Production, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Equine Therapy, Equine Science, Sport, TV, Film Production, Physics, Astronomy, Space Science, Geography, Arts, Apprenticeship in Mechanics, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Metal Fabrication, Economics, Retail Management, Architectural Design, Software and Games development, Accounting and Finance, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Technology, Biological Sciences, English Literature, Arts, Economics and Finance and Commerce.

Ms. Kindlon paid tribute to the school Guidance Counsellors and Programme Coordinators who work tirelessly to organise visiting speakers, visits out, careers fairs and work experience to enable students to make informed choices about career options available to them.

Ms. Kindlon also thanked the employers across Louth and Meath for their ongoing commitment to our young people and in particular for supporting schools in the facilitation of work experience/work placement.

Above: Padraig McGovern, Principal, Ó Fiaich College, Brendan O'Malley, Asst. Principal and Angela McNally with Morgan McNally who received an award at the LMETB Academic Awards Ceremony 2026 held in the Gateway Hotel, Dundalk. Photos by Ken Finegan/Newspics Photography

Ms. Eilis Flood, Principal, Coláiste na hInse, Laytown spoke on behalf of the LMETB School Leaders congratulating the students on their success and highlighting the key skills and qualities that they will bring to the jobs of the future.

Ms. Flood also thanked the students present for the contribution they had made to their schools and congratulated them on the broad range of pathways they are now following.

Ms. Flood also reminded the award winners that their local school and the LMETB Head Offices will continue to remain open to them for any support, advice and guidance they need in the future.

Comperes for the evening were Mr. Barry O’ Higgins, Deputy Principal, Coláiste de Lacy, Ashbourne, Co. Meath and Ms. Anna Mc Cready, Deputy Principal, Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer. Each student was presented with an engraved piece of crystal and a certificate to mark their achievement.

LMETB schools represented from Co. Louth included Scoil Uí Mhuirí, O’Fiaich College, Bush Post Primary, Coláiste Chú Chulainn and St. Oliver’s Community College Drogheda.

LMETB schools represented from Co. Meath included Beaufort College, Navan, Dunshaughlin Community College, Colaiste na hInse, Laytown, Colaiste Pobail, Rathcairn, O’ Carolan College, Nobber, Coláiste na Mí, Navan, Ratoath College, Colaiste Clavin, Longwood, St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne, Coláiste de Lacy, Ashbourne and St. Oliver Post Primary School, Oldcastle.

Further information on LMETB is available on www.lmetb.ie.