A story of hope and resilience for Leaving Certificate students

Aoife Tully from Kells, Co Meath offers a story of hope and resilience to those who received their Leaving Certificate results this morning by reflecting on her own journey and experiences:

As the sun rises over rural Ireland tomorrow, thousands of young people will hold their breath, clutching envelopes that bear the results of their Leaving Certificate exams.

For some, the contents will be a cause for celebration, while for others, the results may not align with their hopes and dreams. But I am here to tell you that those results, whether triumphant or disappointing, do not define your future.

I know this because my journey began with a similar sense of uncertainty. The last words I heard before storming out of a morning assembly on a crisp autumn day as a 15-year-old were, “You’re going nowhere in life” from my class tutor!

I struggled in primary school, always feeling a step behind, especially in maths. Like many who find themselves struggling, I became adept at dodging the teacher’s questions, trying to avoid the humiliation of not knowing the answer. By the time I reached third year in secondary school, it was clear to me that the traditional Leaving Certificate was not the path I was meant to follow.

Instead, I found my way to the Leaving Certificate Applied program—a route that emphasised practical skills and work placement over academic theory. Although I was never strong in maths, I always had a creative streak, a love for art. But the harsh reality of the world, particularly in rural Ireland, told me that art was not a viable option for someone like me. NCAD art college in Dublin, only a county away was a dream that seemed out of reach for a home bird like myself.

At 16, I found myself on a concrete yard in Cavan for my first term of work placement. It was there, in the health and safety office, that I discovered my calling. I immersed myself in learning about the safety industry, construction, and environmental sustainability.

Each term brought new experiences—in joineries, manufacturing factories, and more—each one deepening my understanding of different industries.

When I graduated, my Leaving Certificate Applied qualification led me to a PLC course in renewable energy at Cavan Institute of Technology. I feared that moving away from college would derail my dreams, but I found a way to work full-time while studying part-time. I took on roles as an electronic assembly technician, a stock controller, a purchasing manager, and even packed eggs and worked in a sausage factory.

Every job, no matter how menial it seemed, taught me something valuable. I learned to work with different personalities, to push through challenges, and to find my place in the workforce.

One of the most formative experiences came when I worked with a crew of lads from Donegal on a water main project in Meath. We laid seven kilometers of pipe and built a reservoir, a job that required both grit and collaboration. These men, were among the smartest and most resourceful people I’ve ever met.

They taught me the trade of civil engineering, not just with tools and materials, but with the wisdom that comes from years of hands-on experience. Their cunning, wit, and humour left a lasting impression on me, reinforcing the idea that formal education is just one of many paths to success.

My journey was anything but linear. I took on every experience available to me, completing free online courses when money was tight, and learning from some of the most cunning, witty, and humble people—many of whom never completed a Leaving Certificate themselves. It was through these varied experiences that I found my true passion: health and safety and management.

Today, I run MacAtilla Safety Solutions and MacAtilla Marketing, blending my love for safety with my creative flair.

I wasn’t a star pupil, but I learned to embrace the journey rather than obsess over the destination.

Life has a way of throwing us off course, but it also presents opportunities if we are open to them. It doesn’t matter what was in that exam envelope because outside the school gates, there are countless opportunities waiting for those who seek them out. The key is to stay in the right headspace, to slow down and understand that dreams can evolve, and that’s okay.

Nothing in life is constant. A disappointing result does not determine your path; it’s just a blip in your life’s journey. Focus on what makes you happy, write down your goals, and chip away at them in any way you can. You are not defined by your past, and there is a reason the windscreen is bigger than the rearview mirror. Failure isn’t final, and if you can believe it and perceive it, you can achieve it.

MacAtilla is my dream, and I won’t be giving up on it anytime soon. For all those receiving their Leaving Certificate results tomorrow, remember this: your journey is just beginning, and the path you take is yours to forge. Don’t let a piece of paper define your future—let your determination, creativity, and resilience guide you instead.