Genealogist, college student and @Project_Infant creator. Posts about #Genealogy & more. Wanna-be many things, too little time. (Trying to) make a difference.
At the beginning of her life, my mother was born in a mother & baby home with the third highest death rate in Ireland.
At 15 days old, my mother was sent in a taxi to an adoption home halfway up the country with her mother.
Her mother would visit her a few times by...
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Hypothetically I could’ve been in #Bessboro 3 times.
As a survivor of Bessboro I believe the grounds should be Independently Investigated.
Had I died there I would not want to be forgotten, a #CPO is important but not at the expense of those who are buried there.
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I have absolutely no doubt that if that pregnancy had gone full term, my mother would’ve sent me to #Bessboro to give birth.
When I became pregnant in my 20’s, unmarried, my mother refused to let me move home. She threatened to send me to Bessboro if I returned.
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My mother knew my grandfather was abusing me.
She facilitated it, was present in the room on 1 occasion.
She locked me in my bedroom to miscarry alone.
Left a terrified 12 year old who thought she was dying to suffer alone.
🧵1/5
My personal views on #Bessboro
I was born there in the early 70’s.#Adopted by a loving father & a cruel mother.
My adoptive grandfather was a #paedophile who sexually abused me from the age of 8 until I became pregnant at 12.
I miscarried.
Our short film will soon be available; with acknowledgment to participants & choirs. Voices carried in vessels; tear-drop shaped porcelain pieces resting on #KnockmaHill
Survivors spoke of #Letterfrack & #BoardingOut; while family spoke of a dad born in Tuam MB home.
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1/3 🙏to all who attended our Porcelain Collection Exhibition yesterday; to our speakers who held the audience in palm of hand and to our artistic friends who accompanied us together with musicians & representatives from other Institutions, Museum, academia, etc. #Appreciation
film dedicated to the Project. We were fortunate to receive funding for this work from @artscouncil_ie which enabled us to engage in workshop scenarios in Athlone and Galway.
Please come along if you’re in the area as #Justice remains elusive to many.
#MotherAndBabyHomes
Ends//
Remembrance and Respect.
@danielmloftus of #ProjectInfant has recorded names & details of children lost in institutions and he will speak of the importance of such work
Survivors and family members will speak of their memories and experiences following the showing of a
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1/3 On Wednesday next week we hold an Exhibition of our work with local Artist Holly Mullarkey over the past ten months. Survivors and families of lost #TuamBabies worked to produce exquisite pieces of porcelain. The collection relates a story of loss but also one of
Have been invited to speak at this event, so if you’re in the area & want to see the contributions of survivors and hear me speak about research with @Project_Infant — please do come along! ❤️✨
We are holding our porcelain craft exhibition on Wednesday the 16th Sept. Details below. All are welcome. Survivors and family members will share their experience of working with clay to tell the story of incarceration and loss. We look forward to sharing with you.
#TuamBabies
Contrary to politicians & media reports, there's been a continuous ongoing narrative that there are 859 #Bessborough children that haven't been found.
If we're going to pursue remembering these infants, we need to be factual.
It is in fact, 858. 65 children have been found.
🧵
Contrary to politicians & media reports, there's been a continuous ongoing narrative that there are 859 #Bessborough children that haven't been found.
If we're going to pursue remembering these infants, we need to be factual.
It is in fact, 858. 65 children have been found.
🧵