Pictures: Cork maternity hospital welcomes first babies of 2024

CORK welcomed its newest citizens in the early hours of New Year's morning with the staff at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) facilitating the arrivals of the first baby boy and the first baby girl to be born there in 2024.

The New Year was barely an hour old when the first baby of 2024 arrived in CUMH, with baby boy Sean Liam O’Halloran, who was born at 01:02am, weighing 4240g.

Baby Sean Liam was born to his mom, Catherine O’Halloran, and his dad, Brian O’Halloran, both from Mullinahone, in Co Tipperary.

The second baby to arrive in CUMH in 2024 was a beautiful baby girl who was born at 02:39am, weighing 3380g.

Mom Sarah Coughlan and dad Mike, from Killeagh, Co Cork, had not shared a name for the media on Monday afternoon.

The staff of CUMH were not available for comment during what has been a busy festive period, a spokesperson said.

The first baby of the New Year born in the country was born in Dublin's Rotunda Hospital just minutes after midnight.

Baby Arlo Robert Emmett was born just four minutes into 2024, weighing in at 4.2kg.

Nationally, the first girl born in Ireland in 2024 arrived at 12.06am at The Coombe in Dublin.

Weighing in at 4lbs 14oz, baby Mirha was born to Sundas Khan and her husband, who are originally from Pakistan.

Warmest congratulations to all who have welcomed new arrivals, and welcome to Ireland to our newest citizens.