Here, in West Cork, we have our own minor miracle - five sets of twins under the age of eight at Drinagh National School.
BY JACKIE KEOGH
BAFFLED doctors are trying to unravel the mystery of the Indian village of Kodinhi, which has more than 220 sets of twins born to just 2,000 families.
But here, in West Cork, we have our own minor miracle – five sets of twins under the age of eight at Drinagh National School.
On Monday, August 31st, the 60-pupil school welcomed nine new pupils, including twins Jack and Katie Coakley (5) and Paddy and Lizzie Murphy (4).
Aaron and Ryan McCarthy, the only identical twins in the school, were previously featured in The Southern Star, as were twins Aoife and Niamh Collins, when they started school five years ago.
Then last year, twins Gavin and Grace Daly joined the club when they started in junior infants.
Three sets seemed unusual but people are now completely bemused by the fact that there are five sets of twins in such a small school.
But that’s not the end of it. The first cousins of Aoife and Niamh Collins – Aisling and Michael Young – who are also twins, will be going to Drinagh National School in the next year or two.
Former students, and twins, Lisa and Adrian Kingston have just finished their Leaving Certificate; another set of twins were born in the locality a couple of years ago; and yet another set were born in the parish earlier this year. All of which means the school could potentially end up with eight sets of twins.
One mother, Catherine McCarthy said: ‘I think it’s great. I know each child is an individual but you have to admit that it is unusual to see three sets of twins in the junior room.
‘I know my own two children have a fierce bond, but I can also see how Aaron and Aoife have formed a close connection, as have Ryan and Niamh,’ said Catherine, who explained that twins run in her family – hers and her husband’s – but she said: ‘There is no accounting for the phenomena in Drinagh.’
BY JACKIE KEOGH
BAFFLED doctors are trying to unravel the mystery of the Indian village of Kodinhi, which has more than 220 sets of twins born to just 2,000 families.
But here, in West Cork, we have our own minor miracle – five sets of twins under the age of eight at Drinagh National School.
On Monday, August 31st, the 60-pupil school welcomed nine new pupils, including twins Jack and Katie Coakley (5) and Paddy and Lizzie Murphy (4).
Aaron and Ryan McCarthy, the only identical twins in the school, were previously featured in The Southern Star, as were twins Aoife and Niamh Collins, when they started school five years ago.
Then last year, twins Gavin and Grace Daly joined the club when they started in junior infants.
Three sets seemed unusual but people are now completely bemused by the fact that there are five sets of twins in such a small school.
But that’s not the end of it. The first cousins of Aoife and Niamh Collins – Aisling and Michael Young – who are also twins, will be going to Drinagh National School in the next year or two.
Former students, and twins, Lisa and Adrian Kingston have just finished their Leaving Certificate; another set of twins were born in the locality a couple of years ago; and yet another set were born in the parish earlier this year. All of which means the school could potentially end up with eight sets of twins.
One mother, Catherine McCarthy said: ‘I think it’s great. I know each child is an individual but you have to admit that it is unusual to see three sets of twins in the junior room.
‘I know my own two children have a fierce bond, but I can also see how Aaron and Aoife have formed a close connection, as have Ryan and Niamh,’ said Catherine, who explained that twins run in her family – hers and her husband’s – but she said: ‘There is no accounting for the phenomena in Drinagh.’
BY JACKIE KEOGH
BAFFLED doctors are trying to unravel the mystery of the Indian village of Kodinhi, which has more than 220 sets of twins born to just 2,000 families.
But here, in West Cork, we have our own minor miracle – five sets of twins under the age of eight at Drinagh National School.
On Monday, August 31st, the 60-pupil school welcomed nine new pupils, including twins Jack and Katie Coakley (5) and Paddy and Lizzie Murphy (4).
Aaron and Ryan McCarthy, the only identical twins in the school, were previously featured in The Southern Star, as were twins Aoife and Niamh Collins, when they started school five years ago.
Then last year, twins Gavin and Grace Daly joined the club when they started in junior infants.
Three sets seemed unusual but people are now completely bemused by the fact that there are five sets of twins in such a small school.
But that’s not the end of it. The first cousins of Aoife and Niamh Collins – Aisling and Michael Young – who are also twins, will be going to Drinagh National School in the next year or two.
Former students, and twins, Lisa and Adrian Kingston have just finished their Leaving Certificate; another set of twins were born in the locality a couple of years ago; and yet another set were born in the parish earlier this year. All of which means the school could potentially end up with eight sets of twins.
One mother, Catherine McCarthy said: ‘I think it’s great. I know each child is an individual but you have to admit that it is unusual to see three sets of twins in the junior room.
‘I know my own two children have a fierce bond, but I can also see how Aaron and Aoife have formed a close connection, as have Ryan and Niamh,’ said Catherine, who explained that twins run in her family – hers and her husband’s – but she said: ‘There is no accounting for the phenomena in Drinagh.’