PODCAST · education
Leaving Cert Guidance
by Donnchadh O Mahony
Guidance Counsellor, Donnchadh O Mahony, hosts the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast. Donnchadh gives up to date information to applicants of the CAO, UCAS, PLCs, HEAR and DARE, HPAT etc. Make sure to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on when the latest podcast episodes come out.
Episodes
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My 625 Journey with @hennieonhenny
Sarah interviews Hennie about her experience with the Leaving Cert, discussing her journey, study strategies, and the importance of managing stress. Hennie shares her insights on subject choices, study techniques, and the significance of past papers. She reflects on her results day experience and...
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613 Student Recalls his LC Experience and Gives Tips
Richard Chen, who got 613 points in his LC, joins the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast and shares his experiences navigating the Leaving Cert, the pressures of exam preparation, and the emotional journey leading up to results day. He discusses the impact of social media on his study habits…
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Medicine and the HPAT with Martha Harper
In this episode, Sarah interviews Martha Harper, a medical student who gained popularity on TikTok for her content about the HPAT and her journey into medicine. Martha shares her experiences with the HPAT, the challenges of transitioning from secondary school to college, and the importance of...
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Mastering CAO 2026 Application
In this episode of the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast, Sarah Ó Tuama and guidance counsellor Donnchadh discuss the Central Applications Office (CAO) process, providing essential tips and insights for students navigating college applications. They cover key topics such as application deadlines, the...
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Navigating College Course Selection
In this episode of the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast, Sarah Ó Tuama and Donnchadh discuss the critical process of selecting a college course. They emphasise the importance of research, aligning personal interests with potential career paths, and the role of parents in guiding students. The...
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Applying to UCAS for 2026
In this episode, Sarah asks Donnchadh about the UCAS application and how Irish applicants can tackle it. What is UCAS, how does the application work, how do I write a personal statement, what is student finance and how do repayments work? What courses in Northern Ireland are popular and have no...
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Tertiary Degrees-The Irish Education Landscape is Changing!
Donnchadh and Sarah chat on the first Leaving Cert Guidance episode of the academic year, bout Tertiary Degrees. Donnchadh reckons the landscape of the Irish education system has changed with the development of Tertiary degrees. Find out more about Tertiary degrees at nto.ie The episode is…
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Let's Rayse Our Study Game
Ray Lanigan is a high impact study skills coach and a school motivational speaker. he joins Donnchadh to discuss his study skills strategies such as the 30 minute study sprint and the whiz grid. What advice does Ray have for students doing their mocks and advice for parents on this journey also?...
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Substance Misuse Expert on Staying Safe this Christmas
Substance misuse expert, Sinead Carey, joins the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast to help students stay safe this Christmas. What do students who are going out this Christmas need to know so they can keep themselves safe, the 5 As that parents should do when their child is out, the best website for...
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Important Upcoming Deadlines
Over the next few weeks there are important upcoming deadline dates. Many students will take the opportunity over the Christmas break to prepare for these deadlines. Donnchadh explains to us what deadlines are fast approaching and what students need to do to get ready for these. From applying to...
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DARE/HEAR Applications 2025
Roisin O'Donohoe is back with Donnchadh this week, this time to discuss the HEAR and DARE application processes and what students need to know and some tips and advice for the application. Don't forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok
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My Erasmus Experience
Donnchadh is joined by Ava Rose Gallagher, a 4th year Commerce International student in UCC who talks about her Erasmus experience. Ava Rose talks about: The process of applying to Erasmus Applying for the Erasmus grant How the Erasmus process works Her experience in Germany How she settled in…
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CAO 2025
This is one of our biggest podcast episodes of the year. Eileen Keleghan from the CAO joins Donnchadh to give advice for 2025 CAO applicants. They talk about: What applicants can expect from the CAO application Key deadline dates Genuine order of preference Change of mind facility Level 6/7 and...
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Prepping for LC Languages exams with Katie Lenehan
Language teacher Katie Lenehan (@mslenslanguages) join Donnchadh on the pod this week to talk about preparing for languages exams for the LC. Katie and Donnchadh discuss: Key challenges for students improving oral and listening skills practising languages outside of the classroom Improving vocab...
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Effective Study Methods with GC Roisin O'Donohoe
Donnchadh is joined by Guidance Counsellor Roisin O'Donohoe to talk effective study methods and how students can get the most from themselves while studying. Donnchadh and Roisin discuss: Most common study mistakes the importance of active studying creating an effective study schedule avoiding...
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Applying for Exemptions
There are a number of exemptions that CAO applicants can apply for. Universities might have matriculation requirements that outline an applicant must have Irish and/or another language. In this episode, Donnchadh is joined by guidance counsellor from the Institute of Education, Aoife McArdle, to...
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HPAT: How I got 98th Percentile
Alice Byrne is in 4th year medicine in UCD. When she sat her HPAT in 2021 she scored in the 98th percentile achieving 197 points. She joins Donnchadh in this episode to give some tips to potential HPATers. Alice discusses: The importance of the HPAT How she prepared for it with specific…
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How we got 625 points!
Donnchadh is joined by two 625 points students this week. Juliet and Jessica chat about: How they structured their study What study techniques worked best for them. Subjects they had to prioritise The lead up to the exams Balancing school and life Staying motivated What advice they wish they had...
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Irish applying to UCAS 2025
Conan Meehan joins Donnchadh to chat about Irish applicants applying to UCAS in 2025. Conan has been helping ROI students apply to UCAS since 2019. In this podcast they talk about: What is UCAS How to make an application Deciding on a course to study What the 15th October deadline means The new...
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TikToker Ella Deasy is headed to University
Ella Deasy joins the podcast this week to talk about her meteoric rise on TikTok, advice she would give to content creators starting out, how she found the LC and CAO processes, where she is going to be studying next year and advice she would give to current 6th years. Follow @leavingcertguidance...
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LC2024 Results...What you need to know.
The LC results come out on Friday 23rd August at 10am. On this episode Donnchadh runs through what LC candidates can expect on the day and why the Candidate Self Service Portal is so important. Follow on Instagram @leavingcertguidance
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January 2024-Important dates
There are so many important dates and deadlines upcoming. So, Donnchadh and guidance counsellor Joe Farrelly, chat you through the most important ones got to do with the CAO, UCAS, HPAT, Tertiary degrees and PLC courses. Make sure to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok
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Preparing for the Mock Exams
Donnchadh is flying solo this week in the podcast as he gives his top tips for preparation for the mocks. Donnchadh talks about Study schedules Topics to learn Active study vs passive study Using nerves to your benefit Elite preparation Using the mocks as a positive Assessing post mocks Mocks vs...
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Making the most of your Christmas break
Guidance counsellor Deborah Galbraith joined Donnchadh this week to discuss how students can make the most of their Christmas break. How can students use the break in terms of relaxation, academic preparation and college research? Deborah outlines to students the type of studying they should be...
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HEAR/DARE applications 2024
If you are a HEAR/DARE applicant for the CAO 2024 applications or you just want to find out more about these access programmes then this episode is a must. Colm Downes who is the Access Programme Manager for the Irish University Association joins Donnchadh to tell us what these programmes are…
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Tertiary Degrees with NTO Ireland
On today's episode, Dr Fiona Maloney, the Director of the National Tertiary Office, joins Donnchadh to discuss the new Tertiary degrees. Fiona talks about the new tertiary degrees that are being launched on Wednesday. Find out the entry requirements, how to apply for these degrees, getting a...
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Future Careers with Brian Comerford
Guidance counsellor, Brian Comerford from classroomguidance.ie joins me this week to discuss what careers will be popular in the future. How can students future proof themselves from AI? How can students contribute to climate change, in what careers and courses? What skills can students learn…
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How to pick your college course.
Donnchadh takes a deep dive into how to pick your college course with guidance counsellor Aoife McArdle from the Institute of Education. Where can a student start? What resources are there? What role to a guidance counsellor or parent play in the process plus lots more. Follow…
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Exam Stress and Anxiety with Dr Laura Buckley
Clinical Psychologist, Dr Laura Buckley, joins Donnchadh to discuss dealing with exam stress and anxiety. Laura discusses the importance of stress to humans, why it is so common among teenagers, how students can deal with stress using the TIPP method and physical soothing. Dr. Buckley also gives...
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CAO 2024
On this episode Donnchadh is joined by Eileen Keleghan from the CAO. This episode is a must from CAO 2024 applicants because Eileen outlines what applicants can expect from the CAO application, important dates, top tips for applicants, using the CAO handbook, the personalised CAO handbook. Follow...
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Studying an Arts Degree
Did you know that 55,330 CAO applicants had an arts degree on their CAO list last year? Dr John McGinnity, Guidance Counsellor at the Institute if Education, joins me this week to discuss the importance of an arts degree, the different types of arts degrees, what students can do when they…
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Studying Business at Second & Third Level
@the_LC_team Leaving Cert Business expert and secondary school Business teacher, Ciara Long joins Donnchadh on the podcast to chat about her experience studying Business at third level, her unique route to Business, and tips and advice for LC Business students. This episode of the...
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Studying Science in Second & Third Level
This episode of The Leaving Cert Guidance podcast is brought to you by The University of Galway. On today's show I am joined by Emma Ronan (@leavingcertbiology.ie) and Lena Kadri (@chemistryschoolofgrowth). Both are part of The LC Team on Instagram as the Biology and Chemistry experts…
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Make the most of your Open Day
What is an Open Day and how can students make the most of their experience? Guidance Counsellor from the Institute of Education, Aoife McArdle, joins me for tips and advice for students embarking on their first open days. This episode is brought to you by the University of Galway. Their Open Day…
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HPAT with 98th Percentile Student!
Muireann Carey is a medicine undergraduate in Trinity College. She scored over 200 in her HPAT. Muireann talks about her preparation for the HPAT, how she juggled it the LC and the mocks while doing her prep. She talks about when is a good time to start prepping and what the exam itself is like....
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Danielle McFadden-'My LC Journey'
You might know Danielle McFadden from Instagram or Tiktok, but Danielle is a very accomplished student having gotten 613 points in her LC. Danielle talks about her approach to the exams, the study methods she used, how she set goals, the CAO process and her transition into college. Dont forget to...
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Applying to UCAS
Did you know that almost 5,000 Irish students apply to UCAS every year? Holly Smith from The University Guys outlines the difference between the CAO and UCAS, key dates to know, how to write a personal statement, how the reference has changed this year and much more. Don't forget to follow...
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CAO 2023 OFFERS
The Leaving Cert results are out so students are now turning their attention to the CAO offers out Wednesday 30th August at 2pm. Donnchadh is joined by Aoife McArdle, guidance counsellor at the Institute of Education as they discuss how offers work, how the different rounds work, available…
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Leaving Cert Results 2023
Friday 25th August at 10am. Aoife McArdle, Guidance Counsellor at the Institute of Education joins Donnchadh for this episode to chat about the upcoming results. What will students expect on the day? When do students get a chance to see their marks? How can students view scripts? What does the...
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UCC Quercus Talented Students Programme
One the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships to receive at Irish 3rd Level in the Quercus Talented Students Programme in UCC. Michele Power, Programme Manager and Elaine O'Mahony, Admistrator on the programme join the podcast today to outline the different categories for the programme, how...
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Making yourself 'Future Capable' at DCU
Colette O Beirne from DCU tells us about the upcoming CAO Online Information Evening happening on Tuesday 17th January. Students can register at dcu.ie Colette also gives advice to CAO applicants. Dr Ciaran Dunne is the Transversal Skills Director at DCU. He talks about skills necessary for...
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The CAO Application
What are the most common mistakes on the CAO application that can prohibit applicants from an offer? Where should applicants be at this stage in the CAO journey? What is Genuine Order of Preference and how significant is it? Eileen Keleghan from the CAO answers these questions and lots more on…
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University of Limerick #STUDYATUL
This week's episode is a jam packed show with guests from the University of Limerick. Firstly Stephen Ryan gives on updates on changes to courses at UL. Dr Patrick Healy from the AI and Machine learning department chats about this course and the benefits of students graduating with this degree.…
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Preparing your UCAS application with The University Guys
This week UCAS expert, David Hawkins from the University Guys, joins me on the podcast to discuss what Irish students need to know about the UCAS applications, writing a personal statement, understanding entry requirements, how to pick a university and a course, and tips for teachers and guidance...
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Maynooth University-Immerse, Evolve, Emerge
Happy College Awareness Week. On this week's episode I am joined by John McGinnity, Admissions Officer at MU. John and I talk about the upcoming open day, developments at MU in the last number of years, new courses starting in 2023, Arts in MU plus lots more. The MU open day takes place on 25th…
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IADT - Create Your Future
The IADT Open Day happens this Saturday 19th November. Find out about the new courses starting there in 2023, portfolio requirements, project days, Erasmus, work experience and lots more. Michele Murphy joins me this week to chat about all of the above. I am also joined by @teachwithtadgh to talk...
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TU Dublin-Infinite Possibilities
Lynda Young from TU Dublin joins me on today's podcast to chat about the upcoming Open Day for all TU Dublin campus in Grangegorman. Lynda also talks about the courses on offer there, the type of students that were taken in last year, progression routes, and what the college has in store for the...
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Study at MIC Limerick/Thurles
Dr. Patrick Cosgrove, Student Recruitment Officer at MIC, talks education courses (potential new post primary course in Thurles), non education courses, scholarships, accommodation and lots more on this weeks episode. Don'f forget the MIC Limerick Open Day 20th and 21st October. See…
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University of Galway - Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Caroline Duggan, Student Recruitment Officer from University of Galway, and Adrian Larkin, Innovation Officer at the Business School in the University of Galway join me on the podcast this week. Caroline chats about the University's name change, the upcoming Open Day and accommodation at the...
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From PLC to Degree
On this episode I am joined by Emma Coss. Emma completed her PLC in Nursing Studies in Portlaoise Institute before moving to Canterbury Christchurch in England to begin her degree in Adult Nursing. Emma talks about her PLC and how it benefitted her in her degree, how she applied for the UK…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Guidance Counsellor, Donnchadh O Mahony, hosts the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast. Donnchadh gives up to date information to applicants of the CAO, UCAS, PLCs, HEAR and DARE, HPAT etc. Make sure to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on when the latest podcast episodes come out.
HOSTED BY
Donnchadh O Mahony
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Leaving Cert Guidance have?
Leaving Cert Guidance currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Leaving Cert Guidance about?
Guidance Counsellor, Donnchadh O Mahony, hosts the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast. Donnchadh gives up to date information to applicants of the CAO, UCAS, PLCs, HEAR and DARE, HPAT etc. Make sure to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on when the latest podcast...
How often does Leaving Cert Guidance release new episodes?
Leaving Cert Guidance publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Leaving Cert Guidance?
You can listen to Leaving Cert Guidance on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Leaving Cert Guidance?
Leaving Cert Guidance is created and hosted by Donnchadh O Mahony.
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