Fascination with identical twins is not a new trend. Since the beginning of recorded history, they have held a certain intrigue for people. Ancient mythology, religion and art, even Shakespeare dipped his quill into the twin arena, writing two plays featuring twin characters.
“Through mythology our fascination with twinship is projected on to figures of the past. Twin relationships are portrayed as positive and friendly or negative and hostile. A present-day Nigerian tribe has customs in which twins, identical and fraternal, are honoured and glorified reflecting the ongoing and ubiquitous fascination with twins,” says Pauline O’Connell psychotherapist with Auburn Counselling & Psychotherapy, who has a special interest in the area of identical twins.
Researchers in a paper published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction said there are now more than 1.6 million twins being born every year. Up until very recently, Jedward were perhaps the most well-known Irish twins.
This year, however, the Olympics have given us swimmer Daniel Wiffen and his identical twin, Nathan, a competitive swimmer in his own right. Since winning an Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics, rarely has a day passed that Daniel hasn’t made the news. There is no mistaking his swimming prowess but what has captured the heart of the nation are reports about how close he is to his brother.
Indeed, recent accounts say Nathan, the younger twin by three minutes, has given up correcting those who confuse him with his brother, choosing instead to go with the flow. Identical twin, Susan O’Reilly is parent to 15-year-old twins Oisín and Rory. The family have been keeping a close eye on Wiffen’s success and can identify with the connection identical twins are famously known for.
Susan became emotional when she heard Wiffen speaking to the tight bond he shares with his twin. “When I showed Oisín and Rory the clip of Daniel Wiffen saying all he heard was his brother Nathan in the stadium of people, they agreed and said it’s the same for them.” The lads are avid GAA players.
“To see them play side by side is fascinating. They have said themselves they don’t ever have to look over their shoulder; they know the other one is there if they are running with the ball. They nearly move as one.
It doesn’t matter how big a crowd is watching a match, they only hear each other on the pitch.” Susan herself shares the same closeness with her own identical twin, Therese, who helped take care of the boys until they were six months old. They speak several times a day and instinctively know if something is wrong with the other.
Therese had chronic back pain the night Susan went into labour. “Another time I hurt my hand and Therese ended up with the worst pain in hers for hours before she even knew I had hurt mine. And we have regularly arrived in the same clothes at different events.
” This intuitive connection, or twin telepathy, is backed up by O’Connell. “Twins carry an inter psychic representation and they can anticipate how each other is feeling. This pair, who have shared a womb from conception, have a unique mutual understanding and attunement.
When working psychoanalytically with a twin this understanding will be evident, and they will often report instances of feeling, thinking and acting in a similar way to the co-twin at pivotal times in their lives.” Susan says she and Therese were dressed the same when they were little. Growing up in the eighties and nineties, twins weren’t as common as they are today and so everyone always stopped to take a look.
And today, the four of them cause quite the stir when they are all out and about as a group. “People are always amazed when the four of us are out together. My sons’ teachers cannot tell them apart.
If I’m honest, I mix them up a lot too.” It’s not only human beings that are confused by their similarities. It seems they have the upper hand with fooling technology too.
Susan and Therese can unlock each other’s phones and computers using facial recognition. Oisín and Rory are also able to make use of this handy little trick. Revealing the family’s own strong interest in twins, Susan says their goal is to one day travel to TwinsFest in America.
And speaking of the States, in the early eighties, exploits of fictional Californian twin sisters Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield were popular worldwide. The sisters were known for their beauty and diverse personalities. Creator of the series Francine Pascal died aged 92 in July this year.
One of the common themes in the books centred around the twins dressing the same when they were younger and sharing an uncanny sixth sense alerting them to when their sister was in trouble or distress Janet Higgins has two sets of identical twins: eight-year-old Reuben and Nathan and five-year-old Mila and Zara. Having grown up in a busy household herself, one that included two sets of twins, Janet is well used to the curiosity of others and people commenting on her own brood. “Yes, our house is crazy.
We do get a lot of attention. People will say ‘are they all yours’ or ‘are they twins’?” With time saving measures in mind, Janet tended to dress both sets of twins alike until a few years ago. “The boys started following soccer and now all they want to wear are soccer kits.
” Mila and Zara are already striking out and developing their own tastes. Janet concedes she will have to run with that. Janet says that although both sets of twins share an incredible closeness, they also have very different personalities but are always looking out for each other.
If she needs to take one to an appointment, the other half will constantly check back on them. “The girls are especially cute. They will sit together and hold hands when out.
” Even the strongest of partnerships can be tested, however, as Janet has discovered with the boys who have different allegiances when it comes to soccer. “This is where they disagree. Nathan is an Arsenal fan and Reuban supports Liverpool.
” It might come as no surprise to hear that the brothers are fond of playing tricks on their teachers. “Nathan sometimes wears glasses so Reuben will often take them and his brother’s school bag and sit in his brother’s seat. Some of their pals still guess who’s who.
” Of course, despite being like two peas in a pod, it is natural the boys have their own thoughts on what it’s like to be an identical twin. Nathan says he always has a best friend and is never lonely. Reuben echoes his twin’s sentiment adding he always has a playmate and confidante.
Close twins are reputed for finishing each other’s sentences, sharing inside jokes and occasionally speaking their own secret language. It has been robustly argued, however, that such proclivities are simply examples of shared experiences, and any two people who are very familiar with each other, will do the same. Pauline O’Connell has a warmer viewpoint.
“Twinship is a uniquely supportive bond in comparison to other relationships and endures throughout the life cycle of twins.”.
