Ireland sees highest baby rate since 1891

Ireland is experiencing a baby boom with the highest birth rate since 1891, according to the CSO.

Although the marriage rate is falling and women are now mostly in their 30s when giving birth, Ireland has the highest fertility rate in the EU.

With almost 25% of births to foreign mothers and over one third to single women, the statistics show more children were born in 2009 than in any year for the previous 118.