Choosing single motherhood: 'It’s the best thing I’ve ever done'

Single women who haven’t met a partner or who want to be solo mothers are happily using IVF and sperm donation to get pregnant, says Emer Harrington

Jill Heffernan with her twins Emme and Aidan at their home in Monkstown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Being in a relationship was never a priority for Jill Heffernan, but having children was. After moving back to Ireland — she had worked overseas — she decided it was time to have a baby. 

“I was in my mid- to late-30s, and I wasn’t bothered about meeting someone. But I was bothered about potentially not having children,” Jill says.