'Beautiful' Kildare baby is first arrival of New Year at Portlaoise hospital
Little girl Anwen born to Agata and Gareth in Laois hospital's maternity unit
No mums appear to have been vying for the title of delivering the firstborn baby in Ireland of 2026 at the Maternity Unit in Portlaoise hospital, but there was delight nonetheless when the first new arrival (from Kildare) checked in at nearly 6 am on January 1.
The HSE issued a statement confirming the good news from the Dublin Road to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
“The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is delighted to announce the arrival of the first Laois baby of the New Year. A beautiful baby girl, Anwen, was born at 5:37 a.m. on January 1, weighing 3.6 kg. She is the third child of proud parents Agata and Gareth Davies, who already have two wonderful boys, Stefan and Eoghan. Both mother and baby are doing well.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Agata and her family on this joyous occasion and wish them health and happiness in the year ahead,” said the statement.
Anwen's mum hails from Poland and her dad is from Wales. They live in Ballytore, Co Kildare. The little girl was the first of seven births in the Portlaoise hospital on January 1.
Pictured: Mum Agatha with baby Anwen. Picture: HSE
The latest Maternity Safety Statement for Portlaoise hospital shows that there were 1,193 by the end of October last year. This contrasts to 1,130 births at the Laois hospital to the end of October 2024.