More than 1,000 students receive Leaving Cert results in Offaly
The Athlone-based State Examinations Commission (SEC) has this morning issued Leaving Cert 2026 results to 70,411 students across the country.
In Offaly, 1,041 students sat the Leaving Cert this year, while 129 students completed the Leaving Cert Applied programme in the county.
Nationally, 65,326 students followed the Leaving Certificate (Established) programme, and 4,779 candidates followed the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This respresents an increase of 7.6% in the overall number of candidates this year.
From 10am today, Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate applied candidates were able to access their provisional results through the SEC’s 'Candidate Self Service Portal' at www.examinations.ie.
The commission's chairperson, Jacinta Stewart, offered her congratulations to the Leaving Certificate class of 2026:
“Today is a significant day for the thousands of young people across the country who took their Leaving Certificate examinations this year.
"I, along with my fellow Commissioners, wish to extend our sincere congratulations to every candidate receiving their results this morning. I wish to acknowledge parents, guardians and other family members who have played a significant role in supporting candidates through their examinations."
Ms Stewart made particular mention of young people receiving results today in the inaugural year of the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning programmes tailored to students with complex learning and development needs.
“This is a momentous occasion for these young people who until now have been unable to access the Leaving Certificate Programmes," she said.
" Today, an inaugural group of over 300 young people, are receiving their results in the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes, and having their achievements recognised, alongside their peers taking the other Leaving Certificate programmes.
"The SEC is proud to have been involved in this initiative undertaking a new role of validating school-based assessment to certify achievement. “
In relation to the Leaving Certificate post marking adjustment, the SEC’s task in 2026 was to continue with the gradual removal of the post-marking grade adjustment, a process which began in 2025.
Ms. Stewart said: “Following extensive analysis and exploration of options, our consideration led us to select a final adjustment which delivers the best set of outcomes to deliver on the commitments made to reduce the post marking adjustment in a gradual way.
"Results, in the aggregate, are just above 2020 levels. The SEC has been cognisant of minimising the impact on candidates to the greatest possible degree ensuring that there is no cliff-edge in terms of a return to pre-pandemic outcomes.”
Ms. Stewart concluded by stating: "The successful delivery of the State examinations requires extensive planning and the collaborative work of thousands of school personnel including teaching staff and special needs assistants, school leaders, principals, deputy principals and also the many thousands of teachers who give their service to the SEC each year to examine and superintend the State Examinations.
"I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in this year’s undertaking."