DCU Library presents: Leaving Certificate Masterclasses - tips, tricks & tactics
Cregan Library
Dates: 6th, 7th and 8th May 2026
Location: Seamus Heaney Lecture Theatre (G114), Cregan Library, DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
To apply: Register for the classes with the Leaving Certificate Masterclasses 2026 form
Contact: Queries to libraryevents@dcu.ie
Author and former English teacher Dave Rudden, Maths tutor Eoin O'Mahony and Irish lecturer and teacher-educator Aisling Sheerin will deliver the Higher Level Leaving Certificate Masterclasses. Each hour-long session will provide a practical deep dive into how to approach the relevant exam paper: from common mistakes to structuring answers to how to maximise your grade with the marking scheme in mind.
We encourage students to submit any questions they have in relation to the exams when filling in the application form. This will allow the presenters to address specific queries during the sessions.
| Date | Time | Subject | Speaker |
| Wednesday 6th May | 10:00 - 11:00 | English Paper 1 - Composition | Dave Rudden |
| Wednesday 6th May | 11:30 - 12:30 | English Paper 2 - Poetry | Dave Rudden |
| Thursday 7th May | 10:00 - 11:00 | Maths Paper 1 | Eoin O'Mahony |
| Thursday 7th May | 11:30 - 12:30 | Maths Paper 2 | Eoin O'Mahony |
| Friday 8th May | 10:00 - 11:00 | Irish Paper 1 - Composition | Aisling Sheerin |
| Friday 8th May | 11:30 - 12:30 | Irish Paper 2 - Prose and Poetry | Aisling Sheerin |
Dave Rudden
A former English teacher, Dave Rudden is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling epic fantasy Sister Wake, as well as multiple series for young people including Knights of the Borrowed Dark and Tales of Darkisle. He was DCU's first Writer-in-Residence in 2022, serves as a UCD Creative Fellow, and has visited hundreds of Irish schools to talk about writing, creativity and mental health.
Eoin O'Mahony
Eoin O'Mahony holds a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Queen Mary University of London. He has previously worked as a tutor for the maths department in Trinity College Dublin and also for Disability Support in UCD. He now works as a maths tutor for The School of Mathematical Sciences at DCU, based in their Maths Learning Centre and he tutors for DCU's Access Service. He is very familiar with Higher Level Maths Paper 1 and 2, as he's been teaching both papers as part of courses delivered to potential DCU Access students since 2021.
Aisling Sheerin
Aisling Sheerin is an award-winning secondary school teacher who now works as a lecturer and teacher-educator in the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin. She is the Professional Master of Education (PME) Modern Foreign Languages Coordinator and Strand Leader, where she teaches student teachers the latest language teaching methods and helps them learn how to become confident and effective language teachers. She also trains and works with the inspectors who support student teachers during their school placements in Years 1 and 2 of this master’s programme.