DUBLIN, January 1, 2026 – The new year arrived with a flurry of tiny feet and hopeful cries as Ireland welcomed its first babies of 2026. Elliot, born at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, claimed the title of the first arrival, entering the world just 35 seconds past midnight.
First Foot Forward: Ireland’s New Year Babies Arrive
The first moments of 2026 were marked by joy and new beginnings as hospitals across Ireland welcomed a wave of newborns.
- Elliot was the first baby born in Ireland in 2026, arriving at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.
- Multiple hospitals in Dublin and Belfast reported births within the first few minutes of the new year.
- Professor Jennifer Walsh was inaugurated as the new master of the National Maternity Hospital.
The Kelleher family, of Naas, Co Kildare, welcomed their second child, with a 20-month-old brother, Max, waiting at home.
The Coombe Hospital in Dublin also joined the celebrations. Kash arrived at two minutes past midnight, weighing 3.8kg (8lbs 5oz), bringing joy to parents Rebecca and Keane Burke of Dublin 8. Leo McNamee followed at five minutes past midnight, also at the Coombe, weighing 3.65kg (8lbs 1oz). His parents, danielle and Troy, are from Lucan, Co Dublin. Another little one,Anjali,weighing 3.1kg (6lbs 13oz), was born at the Coombe Hospital six minutes after midnight, to mother Ranjitha Sivakumar of Dublin.
Across the border, Rosie-Lee Harkin arrived at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital at 10 seconds past midnight, weighing 2.8kg (6lbs 1oz). Her parents, Natasha Byers and Daniel Larkin, are from Lurgan, Co Armagh.
The new year also marked a change in leadership at the National Maternity Hospital. Professor Jennifer Walsh was inaugurated as the new master for a seven-year term, becoming only the second female clinician to hold the position in the hospital’s 132-year history. She succeeds Professor Shane Higgins,who will continue his work as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Holles Street.
Professor Walsh’s first day in the role coincided with the arrival of these precious new lives, a fitting start to her tenure. The hospital staff celebrated the new arrivals, continuing a tradition of welcoming new generations into the world.
