72 year old New Ross man, Denis North who got an A1 in history in the Leaving Cert. Pic: John Walsh

A NEW Ross man has created history by successfully sitting the Leaving Certificate exam at the young age of 71.

Denis North, from Brandon Park, sat his history exam at New Ross Vocational College and got an A1.

Significantly, it was the second year in-a-row that Mr. North sat a leaving cert paper and his hard work and dedication paid off handsomely.

The Vocational College, Principal, Suzanne Barrett, was full of praise for her school’s oldest pupil who, she said, was an inspiration to the other students who sat their exams this year.

“He worked very hard at it and we are very proud of him,” she said.

“He proves that you’re never too old to get back into education if you’re determined enough,” she added.

Speaking to the Echo about his achievements Mr. North was quick to play down the significance of it all.

“I don’t think too much about it to be honest,” he said.

“I improved on my result in the Maths paper last year so that was good,” he added.

With regard to his history A1 he said: “Well, I put a lot of work into it but I like history and have an active interest in it anyway.”

Not one to rest on his laurels Mr. North has now set his sights on doing the Leaving Cert geography and English exams but plans to do it over two years.

“I will do a lot of it in the school whereas over the last two years I did a lot of it under my own steam,” he said.

“Young people have a lot of pressure on them nowadays whereas for me I’m retired and I am doing it just for myself,” he added.

“I enjoy learning but young people’s lives are dominated by what they get.”

Mr. North also complimented the staff in New Ross Vocational College who he described as “excellent”.

“I started with VTOS when I retired and then Jim O’Connor told me about other options and the Vocational college was one and I really liked that,” he said.

“I am happy up there,” he added.

With regard to advising other people in his situation who might be considering getting back into education he said: “It’s never too late but I would also say that if you want to get into education you have to commit to it.”

“At the end of the day you will only get out of it what you put into it,” he said.

“It’s easy if you like it but you do have to work hard.”