Special day as brave triplets start school

THE first day of school is an emotional time for parents and pupils alike, but none more so than for Sally and Barry McLaughlin, who will drop their triplets; Emily, Ava and Clara, 4, at the gates of St Ronan’s Recarson PS this morning (Thursday).

It’s a particularly special day for the Killyclogher trio who faced a difficult start in life after being born prematurely at 29 weeks. Clara weighed the lightest at just one pound.

Their mum, Sally told the UH, “The girls’ birth was an emergency and the first couple of days were touch and go because they were in intensive care for a long time. Emily and Ava spent seven weeks in hospital, and Clara was in for 12 weeks because she was so tiny.

“I suppose we weren’t really sure if we were ever going to see them start school because they were so small and so tiny. They needed help in hospital for so long, but here we are, ready to go to!”

Sally added, “It will be really emotional and I have no doubt when I’m leaving them off I’ll be shedding a lot of tears.

“They really have come over so many obstacles along the way.”

Sally praised her extended family for the amount of support they gave during the difficult early months of the triplets’ lives.

“I don’t think we could get to the stage we’re at without all of the help that we’ve had over the past four years from everyone that really pulled together. We’re blessed that we have such good, helpful families,” she said.

The triplets are excited to join their big sister Grace, who started primary three yesterday (Wednesday). Sally says Grace is excited to show them around and introduce them to their new teacher. They girls will also be joined by around 12 of their classmates from Buddies Preschool.

“They have each other and they have a really close bond,” Sally said. “You’ll never see one of them but you’ll see all three of them. At the same time, it’s nice to see them mix with other wee ones.”

Recarson PS principal, Orla Meenagh, said the McLaughlin girls are the first set of triplets to attend the school in at least the last two decades.

She added, “We have had three sets of twins start on the one day before, but this is our first set of triplets in recent times.

“It’s a very special occasion for the school and I’m sure the triplets are looking forward to joining their sister Grace who’s in primary three.”

By JAMES KELLY

j.kelly@ulsterherald.com