Larkin Community College is immensely proud of its past pupils and their achievements and listed below are just some of the former students of the College. We plan to continue to recognise the achievements of as many former students as possible so keep checking back to view updates.
Natalia Kelemen
My experience in Larkin is unforgettable, it was a stepping stone which impacted on my career path. When I think about Larkin, I often remember the teachers. For me, those people impacted my life as I was always encouraged, supported, and determined to achieve the best. It helped me grow as an individual and believe in my abilities to succeed. For me Larkin was a second home, a place where I was able to develop and be the person I am today.
I am currently studying Commerce in UCD and I’m absolutely enjoying it. College is a one-time life experience. I’m willing to do an internship programme after 3rd year working for well-known companies and expanding my skills and experience.
I would encourage any student to go to college, its an experience you’ll never forget.
Jonathan Lamoste
I attended Larkin Community College from 2012 to 2017. For me, Larkin Community College was my second home where teachers would help me with my studies and other things ranging from cooking to playing the piano. My first two years in Larkin were very tough, but with the undying support from my former teachers and friends, I have gained self-confidence and grew as an individual.
I completed a Travel and Tourism course - with Airline and Cabin Crew Studies in Liberties College for a year. My best experience in Liberties College was when I was given the opportunity to train as a Cabin Crew in Aer Lingus Headquarters located in Dublin Airport.
Currently, I am taking a break from college for a year or two. Today, I am employed by Ryanair as a Cabin Crew ensuring the safety and well-being of all 189 passengers and Aircrew onboard while cruising at 38,000 feet across Europe.
Eoinlee Bley (Student of the Year 2016)
“For me, Larkin Community College was more than just a place to go to do the Junior Cert andLeaving Cert. Larkin CC was a place that allowed me to grow as an individual and gain the confidence I needed to pursue my goals. I appreciated the focus on extra-curricular learning that broadened the scope of my education greatly. I'm now studying Engineering in UCD and I couldn't enjoy it more. I hope to become a Mechanical engineer and do a Masters abroad.
Steven Baldesco (Student of the Year 2015)
“I attended Larkin Community College from 2009 to 2015. My six years in Larkin were always eventful, from playing the clarinet during the annual Christmas concert and reaching the Junk Kouture Regional Finals to hiking across the Dublin-Wicklow Mountains as part of the Gaisce Award in Transition Year and meeting President Michael D. Higgins as a member of the Student Council. The many volunteer-based projects that I participated in allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life and become more integrated in my local community. In particular, I will never forget getting the chance to represent the school with other Larkin students when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came to what would be my future university and spoke about advancing human rights across the world. In 2015, my proudest moments were receiving the Student of the Year Award, graduating with all my friends and classmates, and finally finishing the Leaving Cert exams.
Now I’m currently studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics & Law in Dublin City University, where I learn about topics such as Constitutional Law, Advanced Criminal and Contract Law, International Relations & Security, U.S. foreign policy, the Irish political system as well as European Union Law. I’m a member of various societies such as the Law Society, DCU Irish Heart Foundation Society, FLAC Society and the Spanish Society. I also currently participate in a weekly radio show on DCUfm with my friends as co-hosts. I am determined to graduate with an honours degree, attend the Law Society of Ireland to train as a solicitor and eventually be involved in politics or international relations.
I’ll always be proud to have been a Larkin student and thankful for the many opportunities that the school gave me, which in turn helped me determine where my future lay and prepared me for university. I truly appreciate all the kindness and support that all the teachers and staff gave to me, especially during the Leaving Cert exams. Many thanks also to my old classmates for all the friendships and great memories that I made there!”
Aoife Kennedy (Student of the Year 2014)
“My name is Aoife Kennedy and I did my leaving cert in 2014 in Larkin Community College. Since leaving, I have completed a Level 5 Access to university course in Liberties and am currently in my second year in Maynooth University studying English and Chinese. As part of my degree, I will be going to Shanghai this August to study abroad for the year. The college has supplied me with many chances to be involved in extra-curricular activities such as being a student council Rep and being on the history society committee. When I finish my degree I hope to do my Masters in business and open a language school in the city”.
Sofia Hodalova
“During my time in Larkin I was given many great opportunities that helped me grow as an individual. There is a huge focus in Larkin on student health through a wide range extra-curricular activities that help students unwind from the stress of studying. For me sport wasalways important, in Larkin I had the chance to get involved in many different sports and was the Girls Basketball Captain. I was also involved in the school’s student council which helped me gain confidence and gave me a voice. I received a great education from my teachers whowere very attentive and pushed me to achieve my best. Combining my love for academics and sport led to my career choice.”
“ I am now studying Physiotherapy in Trinity College Dublin on a full scholarship that wouldnot be possible without the help of staff from LCC. I’m also running to be on the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Student Council and to be a Trinity Scholar. In the near future, I hope to complete a Masters degree in Sports Medicine and work with professional athletes"
Silviu Aghinita
“I graduated Larkin Community College in the summer of 2014. After my graduation I went onto Dublin City University to study science. As I wasn’t entirely sure what area of science I wanted to go into, I chose the Common Entry into Science course as it allowed me to experience the different fields of science. I then went on to choose analytical science as my course because it was the course I felt best suited my abilities and interests. Analytical science is mainly based on chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology while also providing a strong background in physics and mathematics. I feel that this course is helping me view today’s scientific problems from a different perspective while pushing me to find new answers to these problems. After finishing this course I will have a range of different career options including forensics, biopharmaceuticals, product development and brewing.”
Tatenda Nyaude
“My time in Larkin was a wonderful experience. I'm quite grateful to all my teachers for they played a major role by investing their time into helping me attain so much of my success in my leaving cert. I was a dynamic, outgoing and very sociable student there who enjoyed basketball.
I'm glad to say lhave helped contribute to many victories with my team mates for the school.”
I am currently studying Aeronautical Engineering in Carlow IT.
Tamara Bocz
“Being in Larkin was a great experience. The teachers were devoted to trying to help everyone in order to reach their potential and do their best. Thanks to them I was accepted into The B.E.S.S. programme in Trinity College”
Alfred Brown
I attended Larkin Community College from 2004-2009. After l did my Leaving Certificate, I moved to the United States where I joined the US Navy. My job now is Hospital Corpsman. It is similar to a military medic. I then did a 2 year college course to become medical laboratory technician, which I graduated from in August of 2012. Right now I work in microbiology laboratory at a Naval Medical Centre in Portsmouth, Virginia. I’m also finishing a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology.
Conor Clifford
Conor studied in Larkin for 3 years until he signed a football contract with Chelsea Football Club. Conor began his career at Cherry Orchard and then played for Crumlin United. He has represented Ireland at underage, U17, U19 and U21 levels and captained Chelsea Youth Team to win the FA Youth Cup and even scored the decisive goal in the final.
Fazlina Zulkifli
I am currently studying in the Institute of Technology Tallaght. I am doing Pharmaceutical Science (Ordinary degree) and determined to add on one more year to get the Honors degree. At the end of this course, I will hopefully be a Pharmaceutical scientist and work in pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals sectors.
Elena Guzun
Elena completed her Leaving Certificate in June 2012 and is now studying general nursing in U.C.D. Elena worked very hard while in Larkin Community College and we hope all goes well for her in college.
Dean Hayden
Dean was on the Larkin Football Scholarship Programme at Junior Cycle. He completed his Leaving Certificate in 2010 and went to study in Whitehall College of Further Education where he achieved a his Level 5 Award. This allowed Dean to progress to Blanchardstown Institute of Technology where he is now studying for his degree in Social and Community Development.
Darren Scully
I attended Larkin Community College from 2004-2010 on a soccer scholarship. When I finished my Leaving Cert I went on to study sports management for 2 years in Colaiste Ide and now currently in DIT studying Leisure Management.
I am a youth adviser with Headstrong – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health (www.headstrong.ie) and a Think Big Rep (www.o2thinkbig.ie). In simple terms I am trying to reduce the stigma around mental health.
In October 2012 I represented Ireland at the One Young World summit (www.oneyoungworld.com) in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. This conference is where young leaders start leading and learned from other leaders around the world such as Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton, Sir Bob Gelfdof, Jamie Oliver and more. Already I am planning to go to next year’s summit in Johannesburg to be a delegate speaker.
I have been involved in many music projects from Invent to Think Big’s Music Workshop with Paul Walsh from Royseven. From this I ran my own music workshops with teenagers from Ballymun in order to promote positive Youth Mental Health.
From my involvement in music projects I was invited to become part of the Ballymun Music Programme where I wrote the lyrics for two songs (A New Day & Ballymun Lullaby) for the seven schools of Ballymun. Later there was a CD published in all of the music stores around Ireland (http://www.ballymunlullaby.
was then releases about the Ballymun Lullaby Project and part of my personal and everyday life.
My message to students in Larkin Community College now is don’t ever let anyone get in your way of a dream, you are your own worst enemy and the only person that can stop you from succeeding in life. Also ask the question that you are thinking. What’s the worst that can happen? You get told no, if you don’t ask how will you ever know what the answer is.”
Niamh Cleary
“Niamh graduated from Larkin College in 2009 and went on to study Design for Stage and Screen at IADT Dun Laoghaire here is what she says about her experiences so far:
Since graduating from Larkin I have been studying for my BA (Hons) degree in Design for Stage and Screen at IADT Dun Laoghaire. I have had some amazing opportunities and have taken every one of them.
I have had work experience in the Art Department of a feature film in Ardmore Studios, worked behind the scenes on a show for The ABSOLUT fringe festival, performed on and designed for the stage in The Peacock Theatre,
designed for a graduate short film, had an article of mine published on The Abbey Theatre website and had the time of my life in college and met some incredible people.
I will hopefully be a trainee in The BBC London Art Department by this time next year. I started off painting sets and making tutus for The Rock Challenge in Larkin.
I love what I do and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the encouragement and support from some of my teachers at Larkin.”
Abdi Shakur
Abdi left Larkin in 2010 and went travelling in Kenya for a year. He then returned home and is now studying in DIT Cathal Brugha St. Abdi is doing a course in Tourism Management and is hoping to return to Kenya next year to complete his required work experience. Abdi was a keen sports enthusaist and took part in all activities in his time in Larkin Community College
Ruta Luobikyte
Ruta completed her Leaving Certificate in 2009 and subsequently was awarded an All Ireland Scholarship. Ruta is pictured below as she received her Scholarship award from JP McManus and the Minister for Education and Science at the time Batt O’Keefe. She now studies BESS in Trinity College Dublin
John Sullivan
“It was Larkin Community College that turned my football career right-side-up as I couldn’t get into my U13s Lourdes Celtic team but it was the extra coaching I received in the school and training with technically better players and older players helped me improve on and off the pitch. It was also the help of some of my teachers driving me in the right direction.
Since leaving school i played for Hamilton Academicals and made 2 senior debuts: I made my debut in Parkhead v Celtic then Fir Park v Motherwell was me first senior start. Since then I came back and got my qualification in Fitness Instruction and I am currently working in Ben Dunne Gyms.
In 2011 I played in the FAI Ford Cup Final losing on penalties to Sligo and came 2nd in the 1st Division to Cork City when I played with Shelbourne FC.
This season I came 2nd in the Premier Division with Drogheda United and we also qualified for Europa League and Setanta cup for next year as well as winning the EA Sports Cup. To be honest it was all down to having the facilities in Larkin as well as the great people that came with the school.
Seeing others in the school do well and the walls of fame all make you want to succeed and hope that one day you’ll make that Wall of Fame.”
Click here to look at John’s Profile on the Drogheda United Website
Desislava Baramova
Desi completed her Leaving Certificate in June 2012 and achieved excellent results. She is now living in London, England studying “Clinical Science with Public Health” in the University of East London. Desi was a very hard working student and we wish her all the best in London.
Okiki Olusona
"When I think back to my time in Larkin the one thing that sticks out are the teachers, I feel they were determined and passionate to see me succeed in every aspect, intellectually, education wise and in just being a well rounded person. I am currently doing medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences, which I am thoroughly enjoying"