BY ROSETTA DONNELLY

TEACHERS in St Mary's PS in Cabragh thought they were seeing things when five brothers and sisters joined the P1 class this week.

The quintuplets of Noel and Rhonda Loughran , set off to school and instead of enjoying the new found peace of Rhonda said she could not wait to get them home.

Caitlin, Alana, Aaron, Conan and Aine, were born four years ago after a natural conception and made the headlines when they survived and went from strength. And the media was back this week for the important milestone of their first day at school.

The couple had already a son Niall who was two when the quintuplets were born. Rhonda said "Maybe it was because of his young age, Niall adapted really well, I suppose he never knew any different".

Casting her mind back to the early days after they were born, she said "It was very hectic as we tried to establish a routine". Herself and Noel became full-time parents. "Conan had been the smallest and had problems as he has chronic lung disease".

"He was in and out of hospital a lot at the beginning but he is doing okay now," she added.

She said it was expensive clothing and feeding them all, but she would not change a thing. "Money is not that important; we will get enough to do us".

The Loughran home is at kileeshil so when it came to choosing a primary school for the children Rhonda was keen that they would go to her old school, St Mary's at Cabragh.

The couple have been busy over the last few weeks buying uniforms for the quintuplets. "There has been a lot of shoes bought and five navy and grey uniforms".

Rhonda admitted to shedding some tears when she saw the children walk into school on Tuesday morning. "I was a bit tearful but it helped because they ran on in without hesitating or crying and that made it better for me" concluded the proud mother.