A BABY BOY born just after midnight is the first to be born in Ireland in 2021.
Brody McWilliams Brown arrived safely at the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street in Dublin at just four seconds past midnight.
Brody weighed 7lbs 10oz at birth and was born to mum Jennifer McWilliams. A statement from the hospital said all were doing well.
The statement said Brody’s mum, Jennifer, “was diagnosed with Covid-19 on 22 December. She alerted the hospital prior to her arrival and all protocols were followed to ensure the safe care of Jennifer and delivery of Brody”.
Speaking about the birth, Jennifer said, “I would like to thank all the staff at The National Maternity Hospital who have just been brilliant and have taken the best care of both Brody and I despite me having Covid-19.”
Prof Shane Higgins, Master at The National Maternity Hospital said, “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jennifer on the birth of her first baby, Brody. We would also like to thank her for alerting us to her positive result prior to coming to the hospital and working with our staff in ensuring a safe outcome for all”.
Elsewhere, around the country, several other babies were born in the early hours of this morning.
At Cork University Maternity Hospital, a baby boy was born at one minute past midnight.
The baby hasn’t been named yet but parents Karen Clarke Foley and Michael Foley are said to be overjoyed.
Shortly after, at 00.04, a baby girl was born at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, according to a spokesperson at that hospital. Lizzie Bernadette Snell weighs 8 lbs 4 oz and was born to mum Margaret Keatley.
The spokesperson said the baby girl and her mother were doing well.
The Coombe Hospital in Dublin welcomed a baby girl at 24 minutes past midnight.
Kady McLaughlin was born to parents Vanessa and Garry, from county Meath. She weighs 8 lbs 7 oz and all are said to be thrilled and doing well.
Kady’s older sister Ava was also born in the Coombe 19 months ago.
Welcome to @CoombeHospital's first #NewYear2021 baby. Kady McLaughlin came into the world at 24 minutes past midnight to the delight of Vanessa and Garry, and her big sister Ava (19 months). Congratulations to you all. What a wonderful start to the year. @DMHospitalGroup @HSELive pic.twitter.com/EKzYtiN6Ot
— Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital (@CoombeHospital) January 1, 2021
The first baby born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin was baby girl Ríona, who weighed 3.82 kg and was born to parents Ursula Ni Shionnain and Dean Mac Aogáin.
Ríona is the couple’s first child and was born at 00.31.
Ríona was followed by two more baby girls at 01:55 am and 02.15 am, and the first baby boy in the Rotunda was born at 02.44 am, the fourth baby of the day.
Baby Layla was the fifth baby to arrive in 2021 in the Rotunda, born at 03:01 am to first-time parents Shanice Rock and Anthony Byrne, from Dublin.
Meanwhile, the staff at University Maternity Hospital Limerick welcomed the first babies delivered in the MidWest in 2021.
A total of six babies, all girls, were delivered between midnight and 7 am this morning, the first at 12.04 am.
Mum Weronika Wroblewska, gave birth to beautiful baby daughter Alexandra at 12.49 am. Weronika and dad Rafal live in Newport, County Tipperary.
Another New Year’s Day arrival was baby Alia, who weighed 6lbs 13ozs when born to Aisling Maher at 6.36 am.
Aisling, from Castletroy, Limerick, is an internationally renowned milliner and owns a boutique in Adare. Dad Dr Neil O’Driscoll is a GP in Ennis, County Clare and Alia has a 15-month older brother Odhran.
Aisling said she was looking forward to 2021 with renewed hope:
“The one good thing about 2020 was the way in which we have been able to reflect about the important things in life and getting ready for Alia has been a real focus for us. With so much of my work depending on events, it has been a difficult year for my business; and my husband is a GP so he has really been through the mill,” she said.
“But we are looking forward to the year ahead with the vaccine and we are grateful for the little people in our lives. I can’t wait to bring Alia home.”
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