A Special Irish Recognition Award has been presented students who achieved a distinction, between 90% and 100%, in their higher level Irish Junior Cert exam.
Over 100 students from Galway, Donegal, Clare, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon attended a special event at University of Galway to celebrate their achievements.
These students are among the 2.6% of students across the country who achieved a distinction in the higher level T2 Irish paper, or the 3.6% of students who achieved a distinction in the higher level T1 paper in the 2022 Junior Certificate examinations.
University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, welcomed the students and their families, and also congratulated the teachers and principals from the 36 schools they are attending while recognising the hard work being done in the schools.
“I am very pleased that we can give the next generation of Irish speakers the respect and recognition they deserve, particularly as the Irish language is so important to us here at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe and that it is such a central part of our identity,” he said.
Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, also congratulated the students saying: “You should all be very proud of yourselves.”
“You are exceptional students, with exceptional ability in the Irish language, and you are all a great source of encouragement to us as we can rest assured that the future of the Irish language is in safe hands.”
