Nine students from Laois have received prestigious Entrance Exhibition awards from Trinity College Dublin in recognition of outstanding performances in their Leaving Cert examinations. 

A total of 602 first-year students from all 32 counties of Ireland and overseas have received Entrance Awards from Trinity this year.

The Laois students include Daniel Corbett from St Mary's CBS Portlaoise, Isabel Conroy from Scoil Chríost Rí, Gaia Rizzuto from Coláiste Íosagáin, and Clodiagh Kennedy from Portlaoise College.

Pictured: Charles Donnery from Mountrath Community School with his award

Students Nathan Dewing from Portlaoise College, Brianna Bergin from St Fergal's College, Lily Van Den Bergh from Dunamase College, Maxim Syomushkin from Mountmellick Community School, and Charles Donnery from Mountrath Community School also received these fantastic awards.

The students and their former school principals were invited to receive and celebrate their awards at ceremonies in Trinity’s Examination Hall from January 20-22, 2026. 

"Our school community is celebrating the outstanding achievement of past pupil Charlie Donnery, who has been awarded the highly respected Trinity College Dublin Entrance Award, recognising exceptional academic performance and dedication," Mountrath CS principal Kathryn O'Brien praised.

"Well done, Charlie—an exceptional honour for an exceptional young man," Ms O'Brien finished.

St Fergal's College principal Carole Devine also praised Brianna Bergin for this fantastic achievement. 

"Brianna was an exceptionally hardworking and dedicated student with a strong academic record throughout her school years," Ms Devine said.

"She has a particular passion for English, which she is now studying at third level. Outside of her academic pursuits, Brianna has a keen interest and talent for music and plays the guitar. She is a highly motivated and inspiring young woman, and her achievements are a source of great pride to our school," she praised.

Coláiste Íosagáin principal Justin Brown praised their past pupil Gaia Rizzuto on this achievement.

Pictured: Gaia Rizzuto with principal Justin Brown and her boyfriend, past pupil Emils Elksnis

"We are very proud of Gaia. Following on from John O'Kane receiving the award last year we are delighted that another of our students received the Trinity entrance scholarship," Mr Brown said.

"Gaia was a very hard working and diligent student. She received a number of H1's in her subjects. On top of the six subjects she studied here she also took Spanish and Italian outside of school. Her work ethic and commitment paid off. We wish Gaia every success and happiness in the future," Mr Brown said.

Dunamase College / Coláiste Dhún Mhásc principal Dympna Kelly congratulated her former student Lily Van Den Bergh.

"This is an exceptional personal achievement and a testament to the Lily's commitment, resilience and academic excellence," she said.

Pictured: Lily Van Den Bergh with principal Dymnpa Kelly

"To attain over 600 points and be recognised with a Trinity College Entrance Exhibition Award is a wonderful accomplishment, and we are very proud of her. It also highlights the strong learning culture developing in our school, with students encouraged to aim high and pursue ambitious pathways," she said.

"The award is well deserved and the whole school community wishes Lily well as she pursues her degree in Trinity and completes it in the United States," Ms Kelly finished.

There are 59 students receiving awards from 39 countries outside Ireland. Of the Irish awardees, 393 are from schools in Leinster, 67 are from Munster, 42 from Connacht and 41 from Ulster.  

“It is our great privilege to welcome these wonderful students to Trinity College Dublin," said Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle.

"They deserve enormous credit for the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this point. I have every confidence that they will thrive in Trinity’s incredible academic environment and enjoy the creativity and fun of our 150 sports clubs and societies," she said.

"I also want to congratulate all those who have supported these students on their journeys. In addition to their parents and guardians, I want to acknowledge the dedication of school principals, teachers and wider school staff - both primary and secondary - who play such a vital role in bringing out the best in students during their formative years," Dr Doyle finished.

The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent).

Read Next: Laois Senator meets Minister for Health to campaign for endometriosis care

When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award. Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond.

Past Exhibitioners include former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.   Awardees receive a certificate and a €150 book token.  

Congratulations to the nine students!