Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise welcomed the first Laois baby of 2026 in the early hours of January 1.
A beautiful baby girl, Anwen, was born at 5:37 am on January 1, weighing 3.6kg.
She is the third child of proud parents Agata and Gareth Davies, who already have two wonderful boys, Stefan and Eoghan.
A spokesperson for the hospital said: “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.”
Nationally, the first baby born in 2026 was delivered at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin’s north inner city just seconds after midnight.
Elliot was welcomed at 35 seconds past midnight, weighing 3.65kg (8lbs 1oz). His parents are Rachel and Adam Deak from Rathnew, Co Wicklow.
More than 7,000 babies were delivered at the hospital around the country in 2025.
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