An 83-year-old woman who sat the Leaving Certificate Irish exam has said she is amazed after receiving the highest possible grade.
Bernadette Hayden opened her results live on RTÉ's Liveline and revealed she received a O1 grade, the highest grade possible in the Ordinary Level exam.
Mrs Hayden, who lives in Co Kildare, sat the Irish exam in June after sitting the Leaving Cert Music exam last year.
"I don’t think I’ll try this again," she said.
Mrs Hayden said it was important for her to encourage other people to use the Irish language.
"It’s a wonderful language," she said.
She went on to recite a self-composed Irish language poem on Liveline.
Watch: Sitting the Leaving Cert at 83 years old
Mrs Hayden said a friend of hers had sent her the course books immediately when she learned she would be sitting the Irish exam.
When asked if she had any advice for any students who may be disappointed with their results, Mrs Hayden said "nobody should be disappointed".
"Anybody who sits the Leaving Cert has been brave enough to come through all the discipline of learning their subjects."
"What they got, if they’re disappointed, probably doesn’t reflect what is possible for them. Because exams can be quite challenging.
"Don’t worry, everything is out there for everybody... you must be proud of yourself."
Bernadette’s husband John said that while he has horses to feed and cattle to feed, he will "put them on hold until tomorrow, and we’ll have a little celebration".
