Nearly 59,000 students have received their Leaving Cert results.
A total of 58,787 people sat their exams throughout the country in June - an increase of 2,700 compared to last year.
Of the total number of students, 2,716 sat the applied programme.
Five students opened their results to discover they got eight H1s in their exams, with 60 others receiving seven top grades at higher level.
Pictured are (LtoR) James Byrne, Matthew Campbell, Jack Shanahan, Alex Hegarty, Sam Brennan all from CUS Catholic University School as they got their Leaving Certificate results today, 13-08-2019. Image: RollingNewsLeaving Cert
Michael O'Grady from Christian Brothers College in Cork was one of those. He told Newstalk that keeping on top of the workload throughout the year is the key to good results.
"I suppose I just kind of kept up my work all the way through the six years," he said.
"I didn't go too mad with it either; I do music outside of school and I always put time aside in the week just to keep myself sane.
"I think it all just came together in the end for me."
This year the results are being released a day earlier than usual to allow for a faster appeals process.
The process will now finish three weeks earlier than previous years, with any post-appeal results set to be confirmed by September 20th.
For the first time this year, students also had the option to delay their exam and sit an alternative paper if they suffered a bereavement - with 40 students needing to avail of the facility.
Pictured are (LtoR) Aoife Hickey, Sally Kearney, Eva Kerley, Grace Lyons, Nadya Doherty and Caoimhe Doody as they got their Leaving Certificate results today at Loretto College on St Stephens Green, 13-08-2019. Image: RollingNewsResults
Overall, the State Examinations Commission said the results are broadly in line with last year.
There was an increase in the number of people receiving the highest grade in honours Irish compared to the previous two years.
Results in other subjects such as history and geography also went up at higher and ordinary level, with more people receiving a '1' or '2' grade.
The number of candidates who received the lowest H7 or H8 grades in ordinary level maths rose from almost 8% last year to just under 11% this year.
There was, however, a marginal improvement in the number of students who passed higher level maths - 7.2% failed (H7 or H8 grades) this year, compared to 7.5% in 2018.
There was a notable increase in the number of students sitting the higher level maths exam - with around 1,400 more students opting for the higher level paper compared to 2018.
Students who pass higher maths receive a bonus 25 CAO points.
'Many paths open to you'
Education Minister Joe McHugh congratulated everyone who sat their Leaving Cert this year.
He said: "It is another step through life but there are many more days and changes that will define your future. You should be very proud of your achievements.
“There are many paths open to you, with a wide range of opportunities available in higher education, further education, post Leaving Certificate courses and apprenticeship and traineeship routes."
Minister McHugh added: “There are also an increasing number of options and opportunities for students regionally. More lead-in courses, more choice at institutes of technology and colleges planning for technological university status.
“Parents and guardians also deserve our thanks. I am sure many felt that they themselves were sitting the exams. Your role in supporting students through the senior cycle cannot be underestimated.”
The Teachers' Union of Ireland also congratulated students and stressed the exam is not a final destination'.
TUI President Seamus Lahart said: "Those who may be disappointed with their results should in no way lose hope.
"Learning and education is a lifelong pursuit and there have never been more avenues open to pursue a chosen course and career."
Students' Leaving Cert results and information on the appeals process are available on the State Examination Commission's website.
