A schoolboy has received a top gong for never missing one day of school in 13 years.
Joshua Kirwan, 17, received the Lifetime Achievement in Attendance Award at the end of year prize-giving ceremony at Scoil Ui Mhuiri in Dunleer, Co Louth on Tuesday night.
The award was for a full attendance of all his five years post-primary education and included his eight years at Callystown National school in Clogherhead.
Not only did he not miss a day but he was never once late in all the years.
The top pupil from Clogherhead is now gearing up for his Leaving Certificate and hopes that the full attendance will stand to him in the exams.
“I always enjoyed school, meeting up with my friends and would always like to think I was a hard worker,” he said.
“As the years went by and I kept getting recognition for not missing a day, it became like a competition for me to beat. I didn’t want to miss a day and break that record.
“Thankfully I hadn’t any serious illnesses in school term. I even managed to get the chickenpox during the school holidays,” he laughed
“My mum always told me that if I commit to something and put my name to anything, I should give it 100% so I try to live up to that.
“I haven’t missed a day schooling so hopefully all that education will stand to me in the Leaving Certificate.
“I’ve had a lot of support and encouragement over the years, from my parents, teachers and sports coaches so a big shout out to them too.
“Even in sport, it could be wet and windy weather that you wouldn’t put a dog out in but I’ve never missed training.
“My motto was always get up, lace up and show up.”
Principal of Scoil Ui Mhuire in Dunleer, Eilis Flood said: “It very rare to see a student who hasn’t missed a day at all in both national and post-primary education.
“Joshua is an amazing all-rounder both academically, sporting and socially.
“He is great craic but also enormously respectful and polite and we’ve no doubt any employer will be delighted to have him in whatever career path he chooses.”
