By David Raleigh

Ireland's first baby of the New Year took nearly two days to arrive, his proud mother has revealed.

Baby Kieran Patrick Gibbons entered the world at 11 seconds past midnight at University Maternity Hospital Limerick.

Baby Kieran's delighted mum Jennifer O'Neill, said the labour took almost 48 hours.

"It started at 1am on Wednesday morning and it finished up at 11 seconds past midnight today," she said after enjoying some post-labour tea and toast.

Ms O'Neill, from Dooradoyle in Limerick city, said she was "feeling good".

She added that proud father Mark Gibbons was "gone home to have a rest".

"We're thrilled, absolutely delighted," said Ms O'Neill, who is a practising pharmacy technician at Robert's Pharmacy on O'Connell Street, Limerick.

"He was due on New Year's Day, so he kept to that," she added.

Bridget McCormack, Assistant Director of Midwifery, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, said: "It is a special day."

"Most days here are great days, but it is really lovely for the first New Year's baby to be born in our hospital," Ms McCormack added.

It was thought that a little girl born in Holles St in Dublin was first baby of 2016 at 21 seconds past midnight, but Kieran pipped her to the post.

Kieran weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces, while Dublin-born baby Gabriella weighs 8 pounds 14 ounces. Her mother Gretta is doing well.