COMING only every four years February 29 is a special
day but it’s the date of a really extraordinary celebration for the McKeown
family in Clonsilla.
In an amazing coincidence sisters Lana and Robyn were
both born on the leap year date, but they’re not twins. In fact they were born
four years apart.
Northside People first met the pair four years ago
after the birth of Robyn and this year we revisited the leaplings as they
prepare to blow out their birthday candles together for the first time on their
official birthday.
For both girls, it’s a special occasion made even more
momentous because they’ll be attending a special party in the Mansion House
with fellow leapling, Lord Mayor Andrew Montague.
“Lana knows by now that she has a special birthday
that only comes around officially once every four years,
? explained mum Suzanne
McKeown.
“Although, I think at this stage she is getting a bit
fed up with having to share her birthday with her younger sister. She wants
Robyn to just go away and get her own birthday.
“But Robyn, like most other four-year-olds, doesn’t
really understand the significance of a Leap Year. I think she thinks that all
sisters have their birthday together.
?
Suzanne was adamant that she wasn’t going to make it a
hat-trick this Leap Year by giving birth to another child on February 29.
“Oh God no, I wouldn’t be going again unless I was
guaranteed to be getting a big chunk of money for it,
? she laughed.
“For us one child for each parent to hold walking down
the street is enough to handle.
?
Despite their shared birthdays both Lana and Robyn
made unexpected appearances in the labour room four and eight years ago.
“Lana was three days over and was born on February
29,
? Suzanne recalled.
“Robyn was due in early March and I purposely didn’t
want her to be born on the same day but mother nature had her own ideas.
?
Last year, Suzanne, her husband Martin and their two
daughters celebrated their unofficial birthdays in EuroDisney. This year they
will spend it playing musical chairs while eating Rice Krispie buns in the
Mansion House with the Lord Mayor and other little leaplings.
“It’ll be great and we’re really looking forward to
it,
? Suzanne told Northside People.
“Although, we’ve had to do some reorganising as Lana
was double booked. What are the chances?
“She was due to have her first confession in
preparation for her Communion this year on the night of the 29th but we’ve had
to change it so that now she’ll have her confession with another school a few
days later.
?
The McKeown girls aren’t the only ones looking forward
to this Wednesday as Lord Mayor Andrew Montague is preparing for his 11th
official birthday.
“To be honest, it’s really nice having your birthday
on February 29,
? he told Northside People.
“And I’m delighted to be able to be in the position to
open the Mansion House to other people who share their birthday on the same
day.
“We’re hoping to have 29 children and adults who have
their birthday on a leap year and we’re going to have as much fun as possible
with Rice Krispie cakes, musical chairs and other games.
“No doubt I’ll have to wear a badge for an 11-year-old
as is my official age.
?
The celebrations kick off at 6pm in the Mansion House.