Baby emus make timely appearance

Kate Shanahan of Stonehall visitor farm in Limerick with the three baby emus newly hatched.
Photograph: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

EASTER MAY have come early this year but so too did three baby emus who were born just in time for the bank holiday festivities at a Co Limerick visitor farm.

Edel, Eugene and Elsie were born on Good Friday, to proud parents Emily and Eric, at Stonehall visitor farm in Kilcornan, Co Limerick.

This is the third Easter in a row that Emily has produced baby emus in time for the festive celebrations.

Last year, six baby emus were born at the Limerick farm, with three arriving there at Easter in 2006.

"It's amazing that our latest baby emus were still born in time for Easter even though it came two weeks early this year," said Sinead Shanahan, of Stonehall Farm.

"Nature is a wonderful thing and it really is unbelievable to think that they arrived on Good Friday, just in time for the weekend visitors," Ms Shanahan said.

A dozen baby mice were also born at the Co Limerick farm last Friday and they were also proving to be a star attraction at the weekend.

"The children love the baby emus and it was children who christened them with their new names.

"But the baby mice are also a huge attraction," said Ms Shanahan. Stonehall Farm is also home to snowy owls, alpaca birds, parrots, deers and reptiles.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times