*Alexa Boucher from Kilmihil Community College. Photograph: Paul Sharp
EIGHT students from Clare have received prestigious Entrance Exhibition awards from Trinity College Dublin in recognition of outstanding performances in their final school examinations.
A total of 602 first-year students from all 32 counties of Ireland and overseas have received Entrance Awards from Trinity this year.
Clare recipients include Brendan O’Halloran (Coláiste Fhlannain), Goodness Akunna Ferguson-Ukanacho (Coláiste Muire), Flynn Egan (Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál), Eabha Healy (Scoil Sheosaimh), Alexa Boucher (Kilmihil Community College), Rhoda Carey (Scariff Community College), Melvin Caird (Joseph Community College), and Tara Connolly (Ennistymon Community School).

59 students received awards from 39 countries outside Ireland. Of the Irish awardees, 67 are from Munster. Awardees receive a certificate and a €150 book token.
Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle said, “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 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).
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.