Jigs and hugs in Ashbourne

THE excitement outside Ashbourne Community School was palpable last Wednesday morning as young men and women emerged from the school, waving their Leaving Cert results in the air, danced little jigs of delight and hugged their friends.

Discussions on their future studies and careers vied with plans for the celebrations that evening as the main topic for discussion.

Laura Rock from Milltown was thrilled with her 310 points and was planning to do legal studies, although she intends to take a year out before she goes ahead with her third-level plans.

She said she was very nervous gong in to get the results, but it wasn't as nerve-wracking as she thought it would be.

Nicola Ralph from Garristown also was delighted with her results and was hoping to go to Dublin City University to study education and training and is then hoping for a career in the Gardai. "I'm delighted with the results, but I nearly got sick going in for them, I was so nervous," she said.

Sarah Gantly of Tudor Grove was "over the moon" with her results, particularly an A2 in business. She also planned to take a year out from studying and then hoped to do a Montessori course.

Daniel Cahill, Deerpark, was very happy with his results but was still undecided as to what course he'd do next. He had plans to celebrate, though, and was preparing to travel to Swords for a night out.

Daniel Cullen from Ashbourne got 425 points, but wasn't sure if it was enough to get him a place on a PE teaching course, but he was also considering accountancy.

Fiona Lawlor of Crestwood was delighted with her 340 points and was planning on studying construction in Limerick. "We'll be celebrating all day," she said.

Chrystal Moore from Milltown was also planning to celebrate as she looked forward to her future career as a chef.

Debbie Murphy was particularly pleased that she received a distinction in her Leaving Cert (Applied) and was looking forward to studying to be a special needs assistant in Dunboyne. She said she was certainly going to party that night.

Conor Black, Deerpark, was pleased with his 310 points and was considering studying politics in Maynooth or geomatics in DIT. He said he had been very nervous going in that morning, but would be celebrating later on.

Danielle Hickey, Barnstown, who got 425 points, was hoping to study social work.

"I was very nervous this morning, but I am delighted now," she said.

Leona Bruton, who received a merit in her Leaving Certificate Applied, is planning to do a beauty course in Dunboyne next September. "I am looking forward to it. It is very exciting and hopefully we'll all celebrate tonight," she said.