For one Laois family, St Patrick’s Day wasn’t all about the wearing of the green but rather being pretty in pink in a cuteness overload.
For it was the first day out of the incubator at Dublin’s Coombe Hospital for their triplets who were born at 33 weeks and five days.
Proud parents Rachel (nee Monaghan) and Eoin Cloherty are looking forward to having all three of the new arrivals – Elise, Jude and Phoebe – home in Stradbally soon, having celebrated a Mother’s Day to remember.
Thrilled aunt, Karen Monaghan, a primary school teacher in Portarlington, said that Rachel and Eoin are delighted that everything has gone according to plan for the triplets.
Rachel is a primary school teacher from Portlaoise who works in Scoil Bhride, Knockmay, and Eoin, a primary school teacher in Portarlington, is a native of Nenagh, north Tipperary.
Rachel and Eoin met while studying primary teaching in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.
They lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for four years. They were due to get married on April 4, 2020 but due to Covid restrictions, had to defer the wedding until July 1, when they had the ceremony in The Heath and the reception for 25 in Castle Durrow.
The triplets are the first grandchildren on the Monaghan side, to Anne and Mick, and are being doted on by everyone, Karen said.
“Jude and Phoebe are like the Monaghans while Elise looks like her dad. We are just sad that our beloved aunt Kathleen Doyle who passed away in August 2021, didn’t live to see them.”
Family and friends have been hugely supportive, Karen said. “Rachel and Eoin have been very organised, getting everything that is needed together in advance, and people have been very generous,” she said.
Rachel is a petite 5ft tall so carrying triplets was a challenge for her, Karen said.
“She was an absolute soldier. Professor Aisling Martin was Rachel’s obstetrician and she was an excellent support to her.”
It will be a case of all hands on deck once the triplets are all home.
“It certainly will take a village to raise triplets and Rachel, and Eoin who will be taking paternity leave, have recruited plenty of willing helpers,” said Karen.
