Pictures By Ken Finegan
The annual LMETB Academic Awards Ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in the 2025 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied examinations took place at the Gateway Hotel in Dundalk on Friday, 23 January 2026.
Former LMETB students were joined on the night by parents and guardians, principals, deputy principals, teachers, along with extended family and friends, to celebrate their achievements.
Opening the ceremony, Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools with LMETB, welcomed those in attendance and said: “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.”
Addressing the award winners directly, she added: “You symbolise everything we aim to do in LMETB around educating people to very high standards. You are role models and ambassadors for LMETB.”
Ms Kindlon wished the students well as they progress to the next stage of their journeys, noting that those present have gone on to degree programmes, post leaving certificate courses and apprenticeships.
She congratulated the group on the wide range of pathways now being followed, including areas such as veterinary medicine, engineering, biotechnology, modern languages, maths, business, history, Irish, law, psychology, pharmacy, music, music production, mechatronics, chemistry, equine therapy, equine science, sport, TV and film production, physics, astronomy, space science, geography, arts, apprenticeships 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, economics and commerce.
She also paid tribute to school guidance counsellors and programme coordinators, acknowledging their work in organising visiting speakers, school visits, careers fairs and work experience opportunities to help students make informed career choices. She also thanked employers across Louth and Meath for their continued commitment to supporting young people, particularly through the provision of work experience and work placement opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of LMETB school leaders, Eilis Flood, Principal of Coláiste na hInse in Laytown, congratulated the students on their success and highlighted the skills and qualities they will bring to future careers. She thanked the students for their contribution to their schools and congratulated them on the diverse pathways they are now pursuing. Ms Flood also reminded the award recipients that their local schools and LMETB head offices will remain available to them for support, advice and guidance in the years ahead.
The ceremony was compered by Barry O’Higgins, Deputy Principal of Coláiste de Lacy in Ashbourne, and Anna McCready, Deputy Principal of Scoil Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer. Each student received an engraved crystal piece and a certificate in recognition of their achievement.
LMETB schools represented from County Louth included Scoil Uí Mhuirí, O’Fiaich College, Bush Post Primary, Coláiste Chú Chulainn and St Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda. Schools from County Meath included Beaufort College in Navan, Dunshaughlin Community College, Coláiste na hInse in Laytown, Coláiste Pobail Rathcairn, O’Carolan College in Nobber, Coláiste na Mí in Navan, Ratoath College, Coláiste Clavin in Longwood, St Peter’s College in Dunboyne, Coláiste de Lacy in Ashbourne and St Oliver Post Primary School in Oldcastle.
Further information on LMETB is available atwww.lmetb.ie.
The LMETB Schools Directorate can be contacted at schoolsdirectorate@lmetb.ie
