Little angel Jake times his entrance to the minute

ALL across the country revellers were singing about the perils of forgetting old acquaintances but they were barely into the first verse when the first of the new acquaintances made his presence felt.

Little Jake Mathews arrived into the world at Holles Street Hospital in Dublin at exactly one second past midnight to take without contest the title of first of the 2007 babies.

The latest addition to the family of Sinead and Peter Mathews from Ballinteer in south County Dublin wasn’t taking any chances, however, and made sure of his place in the history books by arriving two weeks before his due date.

His rush for first place meant his chief competitor for the honour, baby James Heaphy from Cork, had to make do with second place, emerging into the world at St Finbarr’s Hospital just two minutes and 59 seconds later.

Not that it bothered James’ delighted mum, Ann Marie Heaphy who considered her little bundle the best present the festive season could have delivered.

Jake’s mum, however, admitted to enjoying the acclamation of staff who couldn’t help but burst into a celebratory round of applause as they greeted the newest of the newborns.

“The staff were fantastic as usual,” said Sinead, who is in a good position to judge given that Jake’s big brother and sister, five-year-old Luke and three-year-old Amy were also born at Holles Street.

The first few minutes of the new year set the pace for the rest of the morning as dozens of early arrivals shared what is traditionally believed to be a birthday that will bring them and their families good fortune and prosperity.

Reflecting the changing face of the population, two of the first babies were born to migrant mums. At St Finbarr’s, Kornelia Sobezynska, who is originally from Poland but lives at The Glen in Cork, gave birth to baby Veronica just before 3am while 40 minutes later in the same hospital, another little girl was born to Amina Swelman who is from Nigeria but lives at Grange.

Across the city at the Bon Secours, new year arrivals included baby Avril, born to Charlotte O’Sullivan, who appeared at 2.50am, while five minutes later at the Erinville Hospital, Deirdre Barry gave birth to baby Clodagh.

At the Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick, the first arrival at 6.08am was little Megan Custy, who kept her parents, Ann and Declan Custy from Ennis, Co Clare, waiting a full week after her due date as she held out for her lucky birthday.

In Kerry, meanwhile, the first newborn appeared at 4.35am in the form of baby Brooklin who was born to Christina and Patrick O’Brien.

Back in Dublin, staff at The Coombe were also welcoming baby Matthew, born at 12.40am. The new arrivals are only the first of the anticipated 61,000 babies who will be born in Ireland this year.