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07 Jan 2026
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07 Jan 2026
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Pictured Agata Davies celebrates the arrival of her baby girl Anwen with Eileen Burke, Hospital Manager, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Pics: HSE
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.
The HSE also confirmed that there were a total of 1,405 births in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRPH) in 2025, up from 1370 births in 2024. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
Pictured: Mum Agatha with baby Anwen. Picture: HSE
READ ALSO: New Portlaoise hospital wing is active for flu fight in Laois
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.
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