Party of five is five times the work
Veronica, who was on hormonal treatment when her quintuplets were conceived, adores her children but admits she often lies awake at night wondering how they will manage.
Nothing is easy with quintuplets. Mothers may talk of the perils of toilet training toddlers, watching them when shopping as they lunge for expensive breakables, or even getting them to sit down to eat.
Imagine that times five?
"The last four years have been hectic but I wouldn't change it for the world. They are getting more independent but they are beginning to argue more as their personalities develop.
"Trying to get the five of them into their car seats is nearly an art form," she laughs.
At last, the quintuplets are sleeping through the night. One getting sick is still a nightmare as the bug tends to spread and sleep becomes impossible as little ones pile into the bed.
Veronica had a health board carer until recently but now has been forced to hire one herself. She doesn't know for how long she can afford this.
"In the beginning, we often felt like we couldn't cope. The first year-and-a-half was the worst. The nappy changes, bottles and crying never seemed to stop. You're surviving for months on just two or three hours sleep a night. It really is tough - mentally draining more than anything."
The Cassidy quintuplets are normally bounding out of bed at around 7am or 7.30am and go to bed at around 8pm.
Veronica was eager to pass on her congratulations to the parents of the quadruplets born in Cork last week.
"I would say to take all the help offered. Don't hold back because you need it. You will feel exhausted and like you never get to rest, but you will get through it.
"I'd also say to try not to forget about your own life when you can. Try to catch even the smallest time with your husband."
Veronica says her husband Kevin is a "great help".
She also got a lot of help from sponsors like Clarks shoes, Comfies nappies and even Self Catering Ireland, who have given them holiday breaks in recent years.
Local businessmen Alex Scallon, JJ Byrne and Tony Wright, along with Citroën Ireland, organised a people carrier for them until February.
After that, they don't know what will happen.
Veronica says one of lowest points in the last five years was when she was waiting for two of her children to come home from hospital, which took more than four months.
The children are all at their correct developmental age, with Amy, who had the lowest birth weight, being the first to talk and crawl.
Cian has mild cerebral palsy and will walk in later life with a splint on his leg and arm.
She describes Derval as the "spokesperson of the group" , Conor and Amy as the "tomboys" and Rory and Cian as being "full of wisdom".
"They're all very lively. They're big eaters and our shopping bill can cost up to e400 a week.
"Sometimes I worry about their mixing as we can't bring them out as much as you would with a normal family. But they've started going to play school, two on one day and three on another," says Veronica.
Doing everyday things like shopping is impossible 'en famille'. A supermarket trip would require three trollies for the toddlers.
"There are times when I lie awake at night worrying about how we'll manage if they all want to go to college. It's a crazy way to be, but it's me.
"I know it will get more difficult from here on in but my husband calms me down. He is very optimistic and relaxed, thank God," Veronica admits.
"Having quintuplets really changes your life. Now the children are going to playschool, the carer is trying to get me to go for a swim one morning a week but I find it hard to break away.
"Having five children at the same age is exhausting but the truth is, I can't even talk about them going to school. I get too upset. I can't imagine them gone."
The Cassidy Quintuplets Trust Fund account is held at the Wexford Bank of Ireland branch. Account no: 387-98142. Sort code: 90-67-18.
As babies, the toddlers went through 180 nappies a week.
They used up seven packets of baby wipes a week.
They had up to 30 bottles of formula milk a day.
The weekly grocery bill costs €300-€400.
When they came home from hospital, their parents often had to make do with 2-3 hours sleep a night.
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