40 years later for "snow baby" - Happy Birthday Pauline

BURTONPORT woman Pauline Moulds (nee Sweeney) celebrated her 40th birthday at the weekend with family at a function in Caisleáin Óir, Annagry, four decades after her dramatic birth hit the headlines.

The mother of three was joined by her husband Jonathan, sons Thomas and Jack, daughter Amelia, her parents Robert and Maisie, siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews at the quiet family event.

Pauline Moulds with her husband Jonathan and children Thomas, Jack and Amelia.

Four decades earlier however there was nothing quiet about Pauline’s birth when severe weather meant her mum Maisie, from Lackenagh, had to be airlifted from Dungloe to Letterkenny General Hospital to give birth. Her story featured in the then ‘Derry People’.

The drama began around noon on January 21, 1985, when Mrs Sweeney went into early labour. Her local GP, now retired Dungloe based Dr Peter Sweeney, contacted ambulance control but was told that the roads from Burtonport to Letterkenny were impassable due to heavy snow.

The next available option was a helicopter, and within a short time clearance was given by Baldonnel for a helicopter from Finner Camp to airlift Mrs Sweeney.
Just after 2pm, the expectant mother was airlifted from the car park at the former Ostan na Rosann car park enroute to Letterkenny.

Weather conditions had deteriorated, and the chopper was forced to turn around near Doochary and instead take the coastal route via Knockfola.

Local Dungloe nurse, the late Maureen Brennan and Lettermacaward based GP Kevin Bonner accompanied Mrs Sweeney on the helicopter. Within a short time of arrival at the hospital, Mrs Sweeney gave birth to the 6lbs 11oz baby girl, the third girl for Maisie and her husband Robert.

Four years later baby Fiona arrived, completing the family of ten children.

At her weekend party the drama surrounding her birth was among the topics of conversation, and the tag of ‘snow baby’ still remains with Pauline after 40 years.

Birthday girl Pauline Moulds with sisters Marie, Fiona and Helen.

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