An 80-year-old Dublin man is delighted after he became one of the oldest people to ever sit and pass a Leaving Cert exam.
Anthony Lynam, from Kilmainham, left school at just 14 in 1955, without completing any formal exams.
At the time, students often left education early due to the cost of fees, with many finishing at primary level.
Anthony told the Irish Times: “It was before free education. Most left after primary school.
"I was unusual in staying on for an extra two years. We had to pay two guineas.”
Last year, the sprightly pensioner learned he could study for the Leaving Cert at Crumlin College of Further Education and decided he would sit Leaving Cert English.
The retired piano technician hit the books and sat the honours English exam in June along with thousands of others around the country.
And yesterday he was rewarded after an anxious wait for his results.
Anthony said: “I was very anxious but I am very happy with how I did. It has been a bit of a journey and a real learning curve but I would do it all again.’’
