Past pupil of Coláiste Choilm, Sean Purcell, was one of the six Offaly students to receive the prestigious Entrance Exhibition award.

Six Offaly students receive entrance awards from Trinity College Dublin

Six Offaly students have been received entrance awards from Trinity College Dublin.

The Offaly students are Cillian Colman Byrne of St. Mary's Secondary School Edenderry, Sean Purcell of Coláiste Choilm, and Samuel Merrick of Coláiste Choilm.

Other Offaly students awarded were Adriana Strembu of Convent Secondary School, Tullamore, Daniel Scally of Tullamore College, and Karo Bekker of St Brendan's Community School.

A total of 602 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.

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.

Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle congratulated all the awardees: “It is our great privilege to welcome these wonderful students to Trinity College Dublin. 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. 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.”

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).

When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award. Awardees receive a certificate and a €150 book token.