'Manic!' Leaving Cert students share their hopes and dreams as Class of 2026 get their results

Education Correspondent Jess Casey chats with Leaving Certificate students who started their secondary school journey just as covid hit

St Aloysius Secondary School, Sharman Crawford St, Cork students Holly Jones, Aoibhe Cubie, and Genevieve Hughes were among those who chatted with 'Irish Examiner' Education Correspondent Jess Casey after they got their Leaving Certificate results today. Picture: Larry Cummins

“The last 24 hours have just been manic": There was joy and relief for thousands of students across the country on Friday as the Class of 2026 received their Leaving Cert results. 

More than 70,400 students across the country received their Leaving Cert results on Friday, a record number of students and a 15% increase in numbers when compared to 2024.