Cork University Maternity Hospital welcomes the first babies of 2026

The first new arrival for 2026 in Cork was a baby girl called Frances, who was born at 3:41am
Cork University Maternity Hospital welcomes the first babies of 2026

Baby Frances is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after becoming the first baby born in Cork in 2026. Pic Chani Anderson

The newest Cork citizens of 2026 have been welcomed into the world at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

The first new arrival for 2026 in Cork was a baby girl called Frances, who was born at 3:41am to mother Victoria Irwin and father Cirroc O'Keefe. Frances also is a little sister to her five-year-old brother.

Baby Frances is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after becoming the first baby born in Cork in 2026, arriving at 3.41am to mum Victoria Irwin and dad Cirroc O’Keeffe.  	Picture Chani Anderson
Baby Frances is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after becoming the first baby born in Cork in 2026, arriving at 3.41am to mum Victoria Irwin and dad Cirroc O’Keeffe.  Picture Chani Anderson

A few minutes later at 3:47am, baby Ailbhe was born to first time parents in the form of mother Aine Farrell and dad Peter Dunphy.

Baby Ailbhe is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Picture Chani Anderson
Baby Ailbhe is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Picture Chani Anderson

The third new arrival and first baby boy in Cork for 2026 was baby Harrison, who arrived at 4:12am to mum Amy O’ Sullivan and dad Niall Riordan.

Little girl Morganna Leao is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after arriving at 5.08am. Picture Chani Anderson
Little girl Morganna Leao is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after arriving at 5.08am. Picture Chani Anderson

Little girl Morganna Leao arrived at 5:08am to mum Ursulla De Moura and dad Marcus Leao.

Overall, it was a busy start to 2026 for the staff at CUMH, with eight babies born before 8am on New Year’s Day.

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