Bundles of joy on Christmas Day for proud parents

Dozens of families celebrated the ultimate gift on Christmas Day as it was baby-bliss as usual at the country’s maternity hospitals.

There was nearly one baby for every day of Christmas at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), where staff helped to bring 11 bundles of joy into the world on the big day from shortly before 2am.

Among them was Noelle Bernadette, daughter of Joanne and James Fenton from Fermoy in north Cork. While most of the nation’s children had been tearing open presents for hours, she arrived at 7.30am and weighed in just under 8lb.