Baby boy for Daithí Ó Sé and wife Rita... after Creedon spots four magpies

It’s four magpies for a boy — and also for joy, as RTÉ’s Daithí Ó Sé became a new dad on St Patrick’s Day.

RTÉ presenter John Creedon had sent Daithí a text yesterday saying he had just seen four magpies in Cork — a sign that he would have a boy.

“He was spot on,” said a delighted Daithí.

Daithí and his wife, Rita Talty, named their new son Michael Óg, after Daithí’s dad, who died last August. They wanted to surprise Daithí’s mum, Kathleen, when their baby arrived on Monday — his due date.

The RTÉ presenter of The Today Show and Rose of Tralee host said his mum was thrilled.

He said Rita’s pregnancy had been a great distraction for his mum, as well as bringing her great joy.

“So, calling the child after my father was just the icing on the cake,” he said.

The popular Kerryman told RTÉ’s John Murray yesterday that he was still in a daze, but was loving every minute of being a new dad.

His son was born at University Hospital Galway at 11.30am on St Patrick’s Day, weighing 8lb 15oz.

Daithí said the advice from friends and relatives was absolutely useless — the midwives and doctors who attended at the birth talked them though it all.

“I know men feel really useless, but us being there, while it is probably not enough, is a huge help to mum,” he said.

Daithí said the first part of his son he saw was his backside and up to then had no idea of his gender.

“I couldn’t imagine how big he was going to be – he was massive, 9lb weight, and the length of him!”

He was already helping to look after Michael Óg, and he wasn’t the least bit bothered when peed upon as he changed his nappy.

“He made an absolute fool out of me all day yesterday, and I am enjoying every second of it.”

Daithí said he and Rita were humbled by the kind messages they’d received.

Daithí’s in-laws are flying from their New Jersey home in the US this week. Rita is expected to go home today.