PICTURES: Ireland’s first surviving quadruplets hale and hearty at 60th birthday party in Limerick

SIXTY years ago photos of Ireland’s first surviving quadruplets were splashed all over the front pages of the Limerick Leader and national newspapers.

On January 23, 1965, Eileen O’Connell gave birth to Catherine 2lbs, 2oz; Margaret 3lbs, 3oz; Ger 3lbs, 5oz and Paul 3lbs,12oz. They arrived into the world in just 90 minutes.

The Beatles were known as the Fab Four at the time but they had a rival in the O’Connell quads of Pallasgreen.

Even more remarkable is that the foursome had seven siblings. The quads celebrated their 60th birthday with a big party with family and friends in the Woodlands House Hotel on Saturday. One of the guests was Limerick hurling manager John Kiely, a man who knows something about four-in-a-rows. Ger O’Connell has been an integral part of John’s backroom team until his retirement last year.

It was left to eldest brother, Bill O’Connell, himself a twin, to say a few words on behalf of the family. 

“Tonight is a big milestone in their lives, however, there is one person who deserves a special mention and that is Catherine. From the time she was born, Catherine faced serious health issues but as you can see she is with us tonight to celebrate her 60th birthday with her siblings.

“None of this would be possible without the exceptional care and support Catherine receives at St Vincent’s in Lisnagry. The staff there have gone above and beyond to ensure her wellbeing and her journey into the future. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of our family to express our sincere gratitude to them for their commitment and compassion. We owe them a debt of thanks,” said Bill to resounding applause. Fiona Donnelly, staff nurse in St Vincent's, spoke on the charity’s behalf at the celebration.

Bill said as Ireland’s first surviving quads, not only did they steal the limelight they also made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

“The quads didn’t want any fuss but thanks to my daughter Chloe and Ger’s daughter Roisin they were the main instigators behind organising this special evening. They felt it was important to celebrate the quads special birthday.

“We remember the people that can not be with us tonight to celebrate the quads’ life and achievements, our mother and father Nellie and James, my twin brother Paddy and his wife Breda, Paul’s late wife Eileen, our brothers Tommy and Matt, and our sister Liz, the eldest who played a special role in caring for the quads from an early age and also looking after us all over the years. We treasure those memories,” said Bill.

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He thanked everyone who joined them tonight to celebrate this milestone, a special thanks to the staff and management of the Woodlands House Hotel and DJ Tom O’Connor.

“Maybe, just maybe, in a few years we will be back here celebrating another milestone,” said Bill.

The O'Connell quads have been joined in recent years by the Slattery and Downey  quads. There is definitely something in the water in east Limerick!

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