A young girl with a rare genetic disorder has had her dream of being a zookeeper come true thanks to Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Sydney Mulhall (9) has an STX BP1 gene mutation that's led to her living with complications such as epilepsy, scoliosis, and an intellectual disability.

A lover of animals, Sydney was recently treated to a VIP experience at Dublin Zoo where she had a private tour and got to feed some of her favourite animals like the elephants, penguins, and sea lions.

'So special'

Her mum Natasha Hughes joined The Pat Kenny Show today for Wish Week to share how the experience went.

“It was a carefree day of attention for everybody and made Sydney feel so special,” she said.

“These are things we don’t get to do on a daily basis as life is busy, it can be hard and stressful.

“Sydney loves going to the zoo but because of her chair we would generally stand at the back and we wouldn’t see much - but she was out of her chair most of the day this time and just full of joy.”

A tiger at Dublin Zoo. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Sydney’s big day out was preceded by a night stay at the Castleknock Hotel with her three sisters; Summer, Saylor and Sloane.

“Sydney loved her big jacuzzi bath at the hotel,” said Natasha.

“When we got there all the kids had little hampers on their beds with their names on them, they had toys and sweets inside and made them all feel so special.

“The next day we arrived at the zoo at 9am where we had an amazing volunteer to guide us around and a photographer to take photos.”

A penguin at Dublin Zoo. Image: B.O'Kane / Alamy Stock Photo

Natasha said they then got to see all Sydney’s favourite animals up close.

“They had a tarp over the tiger waiting for us; when we got there, we pushed Sydney up in her chair, pulled the tarp down and the tiger was standing there looking at her,” she said.

“Sydney being Sydney, she started to call him over – she loves cats.

“She also got to feed the penguins, the sea lions, and got to feed an elephant some apples.

“All the kids got involved in the feeding of the animals and we got to pet all the animals at the farm.”

Sydney, Natasha and Anton Savage in studio today. Image: Newstalk

Natasha said it was an experience that will stay with them forever.

“Nothing compares to it, it made us all feel so special,” she said.

“Especially for my other girls too, life can be tough for them and unfortunately there’s lots of things they don’t get to do – so it was special for them too."

Nathasha has advised parents who think their child could qualify for a wish to reach out to Make-A-Wish Ireland to see if their dreams can also come true.

Those looking to make a donation or get involved with the charity can find more information here.

Main image: Sydney Mulhall with a zookeeper in Dublin Zoo. Image: Make-A-Wish Ireland/Facebook