Mixed feelings as mum waves off her fab four

The Slattery quadruplets from Co Limerick marked another milestone on their miraculous journey when they started school this week.

Lucas, Lily, Mollie, and Amelia, aged 5, skipped into Caherline National School, Caherconlish, Co Limerick without a care in the world.

They hardly looked back to wave at mum and dad, Grace and James. It was a double celebration for the couple as they were married nine years ago to the day.

“They were super excited. They couldn’t wait to start and see their friends and teacher. It was the same when they went to preschool; they ran in, not a bother,” said Grace.

She did admit she had the tissues out. “Even though I’m so happy for them to go off — and they are so ready for it — it’s kind of a mixed feeling.

It’s not that I want them to stay at home with me or anything like that. It’s emotional seeing them go off and to see how far we have come.

“Thinking back to the pregnancy, I didn’t even know if they would survive or not, and especially Amelia and her CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia).

"We were told she wasn’t going to survive. To see them all going off now is just amazing. They are a real miracle,” smiled Grace.

It is hard to believe that at birth Amelia weighed 4.3lbs; Lucas 3.10lbs; Lily 3.4lbs; and Mollie weighed 2.15lbs. The quadruplets are now the picture of health and happiness.

“They are all different but they got on great. They have a great bond and look out for each other. They are extremely social, they’re not shy at all, they are very happy.

They are good at making friends and including people. I’m always trying to tell them not to leave someone out and they do do it.

"They are well able to stand up for themselves and speak up,” said Grace.

The fab four are well used to making headlines but coincidentally so too is their junior infants’ teacher, Orlagh Eichholz.

The story went around the world of Orlagh marrying Richie Tuohy, of the ‘Angela Merkel thinks we’re at work’ flag fame, and then being sent a congratulatory letter by the German chancellor herself.

Gearoid Power, Caherline NS principal, welcomed the Slattery quads and 16 other children who started school.

“I hope they all will have a fantastic time in Caherline NS and that they will be able to reach their full, true potential,” said Gearoid.