DOUBLE TROUBLE MULTIPLIED BY 7

SEVEN SETS OF TWINS STARTED IN COLAISTE BHRIDE LAST TUESDAY

SEVEN sets of twins started first year in Colaiste Bhride in Carnew last Tuesday.

The twins, a mix of identical and fraternal twins, will surely be keeping the teachers there on their toes as they get to grips with recognising the students.

The twins came to the school from six different feeder national schools with just two sets coming from the same school.

Brendan and Daniel Bolger are former students of Ballythomas National School; Aoife and Erin Callaghan are former pupils of Ballyellis National School; Ashleigh and Tasha Farrell come to the school from Tinahely National School; Brian and Sean Kenny and Emma and Jack Rosney are former pupils of Carnew National School; Jake and Rebecca Kenny are former students of Greystones National School while the final set, Aoife and Padraic Stafford previously studied at Annacurragh National School.

The seven sets of twins were among the 155 first year students who started at Colaiste Bhride last Tuesday.

Deputy Principal Anna Gahan said that with all the preparatory work involved in getting the school ready to reopen the staff only realised they were taking in seven sets of twins last week.

Last week all the incoming first years and their parents had a 90 minute induction talk in the school so that when it came to starting on Tuesday they were a little familiar with the layout of the school

They also met with their class teacher, year head Anthony Holly, principal Linda Dunne and the Meitheal leaders who will take the youngsters under their wing as they transition from primary to secondary school.

Sadie Bolger, the mother of twins Brendan and Daniel Bolger, said her two lads had got on great on their first day.

‘ They got on really well. The first day is always a little overwhelming but they managed great. It’s lucky that they have each other really although looking at their timetables they don’t have all their classes together. They are in separate Maths and French classes as well as two others.

‘It would probably have been better to have them in the same classes but maybe they split them up a bit because they are identical so it’s less confusing.’

Sadie and her husband Brendan from Annagh are familiar with the routine of Colaiste Bhride as the couple’s other two sons, Ciaran and Jason, are currently in Fifth year and Transition Year respectively.

Sadie said it was hard to believe that the school welcomed seven sets of twins last week.

‘It’s unreal. Not in a million years did I think there would be seven sets starting.’

She said that although Brendan and Daniel are identical they don’t use it for mischief.

‘ They are quiet enough and don’t use the fact that they are identical to their advantage at all. Maybe they will in school and one lad will go to one class and the other will go to his but I doubt it!’

She said as well as being identical the boys are very similar in disposition.

‘ They are very similar in personality as well even though there are some differences. They have the same interests and the same group of friends. They are very close and do everything together.

Sadie said that being told she was expecting twins was a surprise but not as shock as her dad is a twin as his her sister while her brother also has twins as does her brother in law.

The seven sets of twins in Carnew surpasses the six sets of twins who started at Coláiste Choilm on the outskirts of Cork city last week.