Guidance Academic Year 2026 / 2027

Hello everyone and welcome to the Firhouse ETSS Guidance page. This will be updated regularly. If there are any queries in relation to careers please encourage your child to come and talk to me or indeed parents can contact me through Julie on VSmail.

Eoin Houlihan

Guidance Counsellor

GUIDANCE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TO FOLLOW

Classroom Guidance

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRxGfdGD-d9/?igsh=bmkyanoxNmo2dDJz

or

Career Hub

CAO application process

CAO is now open for registration. The most important thing right now is that students register and if they are DARE or HEAR that this is ticked on their application online.

1. Online application facility opens 5th November
2. Registration before 20th January = €35
3. Between 20th January and 1st February = €50
4. Any restricted courses must be inputted by 1st February2027
5. All other courses on students choices and closing date for CAO = 1st July 2027
6. DARE application - Education Impact Statement complete by the Guidance Counsellor and the student
7. DARE and HEARonline application by 1st March (completed by students themselves)
8. DARE and HEARsupporting documentation by 10th March 2027

Please click on or copy and paste this link to bring you to the CAO parents sectionhttps://www.cao.ie/?page=parents

Please click on or copy and paste this link for the CAO digital handbook https://www.cao.ie/handbook.php

Please click on or copy and paste this link for DARE and HEAR https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=accessroutes

https://www.cao.ie/?page=parents

CAO

The application process for entering Irish universities

CAO is currently processing the application process for 2025 applicants. It will not be available for registration for 2026 applicants until the 5th of November. Students will be learning about the process during their Guidance classes each Monday. Information will also be shared here and updated regularly.

CAO Students / Parents online information session

An online information evening for Students and Parents

• Tuesday, 6th of October at 7pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89078946394?pwd=3KTWaw8OJb6z5abDXPelgnznTUzMJH.1

Join and take notes

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89078946394?pwd=3KTWaw8OJb6z5abDXPelgnznTUzMJH.1&mynotes=on

Meeting chat link

https://us05web.zoom.us/launch/jc/89078946394

Meeting ID: 890 7894 6394

Passcode: 0dV5yg

DARE application

1. Ticking DARE on CAO by March 1st
2. Online Personal Impact Statement completed by 1st March
3. All the supporting documents to CAO by March 10th

These deadlines are set and there is no wriggle room.

Students completed the Educational Impact Statement with me. This was given to students to bring home for review. If you are happy with what was written then it MUST come back to me to be signed and stamped by the school. This form along with the evidence of disability and any other supporting documentation is posted of by the student to CAO to reach them by the 10th of March.

All information about DARE can be found here https://accesscollege.ie

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting Eoin the Guidance Counsellor.

HEAR application

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education.

Click or copy and paste the following to find out more https://accesscollege.ie/hear/

1. Ticking HEAR on CAO by March 1st
2. All the supporting documents to CAO by March 10th

CAO Students / Parents online information session

An online information evening for Students and Parents, in association with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and Admissions Officers from Higher Education Institutions, will take place on

• Tuesday, 6th of October at 7pm.
• Registration for this event will open on 1st of October at noon at www.cao.ie/webinar

UCAS

Applying to universities in the UK including Northern Ireland

Application process is now open

15th October - Deadline for courses in

• Medicine
• Veterinary medicine/science
• Dentistry
• Oxford
• Cambridge

14th January - Deadline for all other courses

Please click or copy and paste the link below to find out more information about the application process.

https://www.ucas.com/applying/applying-to-university/filling-in-your-ucas-undergraduate-application#_3

University speakers to our school

This will be updated as we go through the term.

College Open days and other events

Colleges of Further Education and Training & PLC

Please see below the open days and evenings.

2026 PLC/FET OPEN DAYS

Study Medicine in Ireland

Please click or copy and paste the following link if you are interested in studying medicine in Ireland. This is for 2025 applicant entry, however it is a good guide explaining the process.

https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2026/UGMedEntry2026.pdf

TUD (Technological University Dublin)

This is a useful link to help locate college courses in TU Dublin college campuses TU Dublin Course Finder https://share.google/0AXHyhZm8S9UjBUbf

UCD - Business Open Evening

The UCD Business Open Evening will take place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 5.30pm and we invite you and your students to attend.

This in-person event is a great opportunity for your students to discover what it’s like to study business at UCD. Meet our academic team, hear from current students about their experiences, explore our facilities and find out about the opportunities available to students in the Quinn school.

Students, parents, guardians, teachers and guidance counsellors are all welcome to attend.

During the evening, you’ll learn more about our four undergraduate degree programmes and the many opportunities that can help you make the most of your time at the UCD Quinn School of Business, including

• Global opportunities - enhance your global experience and study abroad at partner universities
• Career-focused pathways - develop your skills and build your network through opportunities such as the Quinn Internship Programme and Business Mentoring Programme.
• Innovative learning spaces - experience facilities including the KPMG Skills Zone, Think LAB, EY Entrepreneurship & Innovation Hub, Media Suites and Collaboration Studios.

You’ll also hear first-hand from current students about life at Quinn and can take a guided tour of our facilities.

Explore our programmes

The four-degree programmes featured at the Open Evening will be:

• Commerce
• Commerce International
• Economics and Finance
• Business and Law

Registration is required and places are limited. Last year’s event was fully booked, so we recommend registering early to secure your place.

More Information

In the meantime, further information on studying business at UCD can be found though the links below.

• UCD Business Prospectus, 2027 Entry
• UCD Quinn School of Business, Virtual Tour
• Visit UCD Quinn School website and
• myUCD Business

Register here (click or copy and paste) https://www.ucd.ie/myucd/visiting-ucd/events/ucd-business-open-evening/

Griffith College Dublin

We’re excited to invite you and your students to Griffith College Schools Week, a series of events designed especially for Transition Year, 5^th Year and 6^th Year students.

These events will give students the chance to:

• Take part in fun and practical workshops

• Learn from Griffith College lecturers and industry professionals

• Explore real career options in Psychology, Journalism, Design, Computing, Law, and the Creative Arts

• Experience life on campus and meet current students

Each event focuses on a different subject area and offers a unique, hands-on experience to inspire your students as they consider their future study and career choices.

PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION! 12^th October

This event brings Psychology to life through interactive workshops and activities.
Students will explore how the human mind works, understand real-world applications of psychology, and take part in a campus scavenger hunt that makes learning both fun and insightful.

Register by clicking to copy and pasting the following link

https://content.griffith.ie/schools-week-2026-psychology?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_ENEPEIoyZD3GKhOPsBw7gWvmDqTXj8uJ-YLeX9WFo_EHtIxwavaFLnl-giirHuFDf8Q5SuAcJxAngMBP4yQr_dC7zIA&_hsmi=442562799&utm_content=442562799&utm_source=hs_email

DESIGN PORTFOLIO WORKSHOP - 19^th October

Spend the morning exploring what it means to put together a compelling body of work. Beginning with an introduction to the Design Faculty, followed by an engaging presentation on what makes a strong portfolio. Then it’s time to get hands-on with a creative workshop where students learn how to make their work shine, from sketchbook development to presentation tips.

Register by clicking to copy and pasting the following link

https://content.griffith.ie/design-schools-week-2026?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--mz9RD0Pbg3ggAnOTzbe9_DWtYLgixVGfQopjnmYfxG0MeNJyDEYLLdV116eAh6XS45A_WGOL344UKpFmqoKrx1weMkw&_hsmi=442562799&utm_content=442562799&utm_source=hs_email

BEHIND THE LENS - A FILM WORKSHOP - 21^st October

Students will start the day with hands-on workshops, learning essential filmmaking skills and techniques.
Then, they’ll form teams, explore the campus, and use their phones to create short films, putting their new skills into action.
It’s a fun and creative way to experience what studying film at Griffith College is all about!

Register by clicking to copy and pasting the following link

https://content.griffith.ie/schools-week-2026-casm?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_FNbj7s1QxyD9xlaLi3OcduMYg_F6KAW9PAJrjiX-sNbYK7uu5MbUycS1dXeaWxzSW5kk1d4GY1Y3rHqiC2yHAFCQW1Q&_hsmi=442562799&utm_content=442562799&utm_source=hs_email

JOURNALIST FOR A DAY - 22^nd October

Students will get a taste of what it's like to study Journalism and work in the media through a combination of discussion, practical learning, and interactive activities.

The session will begin with a Journalism graduate, now a lecturer and content create, giving students an insight into the course, what they can expect from studying Journalism and his own experience in the industry. Students will then get involved in an interactive media activity, giving them the chance to explore the practical side of journalism and content creation.

Register by clicking to copy and pasting the following link

https://content.griffith.ie/schools-week-2026-journalism?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-86Hs2X3OZX_3oPZLY-r7ZEAAnqGAYCL9ohNbQIbPp-peRlOj5U6hS2qpgHePytNfkreRhDpFzEYW8HxKGSo8uUF4nDrw&_hsmi=442562799&utm_content=442562799&utm_source=hs_email

LAW STUDENT FOR A DAY - 23^rd October

Students have a chance to be part of an interactive courtroom drama where they, along with their peers, will decide the outcome of a gripping case. This Law Student for a Day experience provides the knowledge required to participate in a mock trial that involves a tragic series of events that led to the death of Juniper Rose, a young woman who witnessed a jewellery store burglary. By attending lectures on key areas of Criminal Law, see the evidence gathered, listen to witness testimonies, and engage in deliberations just like a real jury.

Register by clicking to copy and pasting the following link

https://content.griffith.ie/law-schools-week?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--s8VEp7bqsAnLryaIlktXSwmBAR4ciw5mqaOHTtlMzr1JeADOCwmpQtDLH-v35Dez7SD_TXqZAfi_C9aNUTy3gdonw8A&_hsmi=442562799&utm_content=442562799&utm_source=hs_email

National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)

We are reaching out about an upcoming opportunity for students interested in our Transition Year (TY) work experience week at the National Maritime collage of Ireland.

Attached is an advert for the work experience which will include inter disciplinary learning of aspects in the collage. Also, the application form is attached.

We would ask that only two applications plus the relevant student’s CVs from your school be sent to us as we expect a high volume of interest. The Deadline for applications is October 2nd.

We are hosting an Open Day on November 5th. We would like to invite your school to attend and learn about the third level courses on offer.

Event Details:

• Date: November 5th, 2026
• Time: 10:00 – 15:30
• Location: National Maritime College of Ireland| Ringaskiddy, Cork, Ireland P43 XV65

We highly encourage all interested students and their families to attend this Open Day.

Taking Ukrainian as a Leaving Certificate Exam

2025 marks the first year that Ukrainian was offered as a non-curricular examination paper for the Leaving Certificate. I am pleased to inform you that to support students interested in taking this paper, we will host an online information session which will focus on key points such as what the exam involves, who can take it, how to register, and where to find past papers and marking schemes.

It will take place on Wednesday, 8 October at 7:00pm to learn more. The session will be delivered simultaneously in both English and Ukrainian.

This session is being provided free-of-charge and is open to all 5^th and 6^th year students in Ireland who may wish to take this examination paper.

Please see below the link to our website where students can find more information and a link to registration. https://languagesconnect.ie/non-curricular-leaving-certificate-ukrainian/

Interested in Law?

The School of Law, Trinity College Dublin is holding an open day for 5th and 6th year students, who have a genuine interest in studying law at university. The event will take place on Saturday, 3 October at Trinity College Dublin from 10 am - 2.30​ pm approximately.

The day is designed to give students a taste of the subject of law and what it is like in the classroom and lecture theatre. Participants will have the chance to meet current law students and staff. Whilst the students will have an opportunity to find out more about our courses, the programme is designed to be and immersive experience involving class engagement and participation.

Demand for places is usually very high, and places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students looking to apply are advised to sign up as soon as possible. Registration is simple and you will find the link to it on our https://www.tcd.ie/law/news--events/2026/events/law-school-open-day-2026/ or from the QR code on the attached flyer.

TUD Access Foundation Programme

The Access Foundation Programme (AFP) is a preparation for higher education programme.

The programme prepares students personally and academically to pursue undergraduate programmes across all disciplines in TU Dublin including Science and Health, IT and Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Social Science, Business, Hospitality, Arts and Tourism.

The programme is designed to provide an entry route into TU Dublin for (i) mature students and (ii) young adults who have experienced socio-economic and educational disadvantage. Please copy and paste or click the link below to find out more.

https://www.tudublin.ie/media/website/study/undergraduate/entry-pathways/documents/Access_Foundation_Programme_Candidate-Brief-TU699-2025-26.pdf