#Mother and Baby Homes

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#Mother and Baby Homes

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p> A protest last month on the Grand Parade in Cork City against the planned development of part of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site, where 923 children are known to have died. Burial records for 859 children and 19 women were missing, and the commission found it was 'highly likely' some had been buried on the institution’s grounds. Picture: Chani Anderson</p>

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Group to seek judicial review of planning permission for development at Bessborough

A judicial review involves a High Court judge examining the legality of a decision made by a lower court or public body

<p>Mary Donovan holds a photo of her late mother Margaret who spent time at Bessborough. Picture Noel Sweeney</p>

spotlight

My mother was 'trafficked': Daughter's search uncovers family link to Bessborough's missing children

<p>A demonstration in Cork City last month, where some 1,000 people gathered to protest against the planned development of part of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site. Picture: Chani Anderson </p>

munster

Leading human rights lawyer joins calls for Government to purchase Bessborough lands

Probe into mother and baby homes

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Sean Ross Abbey: 'It's another Bessborough...it should be highlighted what happened'

Tuam babies film to get Irish cinema release next month

news

Tuam babies film to get Irish cinema release next month

Church and State tried to silence us, but Gen-X women had new tools

comment-analysis

Church and State tried to silence us, but Gen-X women had new tools

Letters to the Editor: We fought Church, State, and my own mother to keep our son. We won

Letters to the Editor: We fought Church, State, and my own mother to keep our son. We won

A reader tells how she was forced into Bessborough mother and baby home in 1984, and how she and 'the love of her life' battled to keep their son, and went on to build their family together

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Bessborough survivor Cindi Bonny on the death of her baby Zoei in 1994

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Bessborough survivor Cindi Bonny on the death of her baby Zoei in 1994

Cindi Bonny was just 16 but she had already experienced homelessness, drug addiction and an abusive relationship when she first entered Bessborough in 1993, pregnant with her son Kevin

Listen | Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Bessborough: Minister says 'all options' will be considered for future use of the site

Bessborough: Minister says 'all options' will be considered for future use of the site

Norma Foley also said she will push for cheaper childcare fees in this October’s budget

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

State's failure to tackle human trafficking akin to accepting 'concreting over burial remains in Bessborough'

State's failure to tackle human trafficking akin to accepting 'concreting over burial remains in Bessborough'

Speaking at an event in Cork, UN special rapporteur on human trafficking Siobhán Mullally said the normalising of illegal adoptions over decades is connected to the normalising of human trafficking now

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Grace Lynch funeral

Sinn Féin urges Taoiseach to ringfence funding to purchase Bessborough

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald: 'This cannot become a game of passing responsibility, passing liability, between central Government and Cork County Council'

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

'Do not bury our history beneath concrete', mother of last baby to die at Bessborough tells Government

'Do not bury our history beneath concrete', mother of last baby to die at Bessborough tells Government

Bessborough survivor Cindi Bonny says her daughter was the last baby to die at the Cork institution and urges the Government to halt redevelopment

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Bessborough survivor says children were barred from ‘sacred ground’ he now believes was burial site

Bessborough survivor says children were barred from ‘sacred ground’ he now believes was burial site

Joe Quinn, who was born in the Cork mother and baby home and spent his early childhood there, says children were forbidden from entering a wooded area he now suspects may have been used for burials

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Every bone has a story: Tuam's forensic team is determined to tell it

Every bone has a story: Tuam's forensic team is determined to tell it

Forensic experts explain how painstaking scientific analysis is helping restore identity, dignity and answers for families after decades of silence

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

‘I thought they were dolls’: Pat says he saw babies’ bodies in Bessborough grave in the 1940s

‘I thought they were dolls’: Pat says he saw babies’ bodies in Bessborough grave in the 1940s

Pat Mulcahy's testimony adds fresh evidence to longstanding claims of infant burials on the former Bessborough institution grounds

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Tuam mother and baby homes

Irish Examiner view: Ireland's mother and baby homes — a tragedy we cannot forget

We cannot look away from Tuam, where further infant remains were recovered this week — nor from Sean Ross in Tipperary, nor Bessborough in Cork

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Excavations at sites of other mother and baby institutions a matter for Government, says Tuam director

Excavations at sites of other mother and baby institutions a matter for Government, says Tuam director

Daniel MacSweeney said his team’s work at Tuam could act as a template for exhumations at Bessborough in Cork and Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, Co Tipperary

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

'Nobody ever spoke about her': Australian woman traces family link to Tuam mother and baby home

'Nobody ever spoke about her': Australian woman traces family link to Tuam mother and baby home

Allara Kate Ashton believes an 11-month-old boy who died at the Tuam mother and baby home in 1925 was her grandaunt’s child, and hopes DNA evidence can finally confirm a family story buried for generations

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

Remains of another 22 infants recovered from burial site at Tuam mother and baby home

Remains of another 22 infants recovered from burial site at Tuam mother and baby home

Discovery brings the number of babies found to date to 99

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

Bessborough survivor urges Micheál Martin to follow through on commitment to purchase site

Bessborough survivor urges Micheál Martin to follow through on commitment to purchase site

Madeleine Walsh Marvier's son William was born in Bessborough in 1960 and died six weeks later

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

'Do the right thing': Over 1,000 brave heat to protest over plans for Bessborough site

'Do the right thing': Over 1,000 brave heat to protest over plans for Bessborough site

As the Taoiseach says a memorial park would be an appropriate use of the grounds, survivors and protesters say they are afraid to hope for justice

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

After 67 years, the search for two missing Bessborough babies goes on

After 67 years, the search for two missing Bessborough babies goes on

Mary Donovan says Government intervention offers hope, but families still need answers about missing children from Bessborough

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Government willing to support State purchase of Cork's Bessborough site, says Taoiseach

Government willing to support State purchase of Cork's Bessborough site, says Taoiseach

The Taoiseach said the historically significant site should be treated with respect and all future options carefully considered

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Michael Moynihan: Bessborough ruling proves that we can build anywhere

Michael Moynihan: Bessborough ruling proves that we can build anywhere

An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision to uphold planning to build apartments at Bessborough rids us of all those petty considerations like sensitivity or appropriateness, writes Michael Moynihan, who suggests other places in Cork we can build on like the River Lee, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and cemeteries

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Cross-party Cork politicians call on Government to acquire former Bessborough mother and baby home lands

Cross-party Cork politicians call on Government to acquire former Bessborough mother and baby home lands

Cross-party representatives want the former institution preserved as a site of national conscience following approval for a housing development

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Bessborough survivors' wishes being overshadowed by human rights debate

Bessborough survivors' wishes being overshadowed by human rights debate

Some survivors have accepted that the burial ground in Bessborough is the site of their babies' remains and wish to grieve them in peace

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Louise Burne: Bill Kenneally victims deserve more than words from the State

Louise Burne: Bill Kenneally victims deserve more than words from the State

Bill Kenneally, from a powerful family with deep Fianna Fáil roots, abused his position of power as a basketball coach

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

CPO of Bessborough site 'not a straightforward' option, says Taoiseach

CPO of Bessborough site 'not a straightforward' option, says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin said purchasing the former mother and baby institution site could not be done 'by just pressing a button'

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

DENIS SCANNELL

Taoiseach says Bessborough CPO is 'not a straightforward' option

Taoiseach and Holly Cairns clash in the Dáil over plans to develop apartments on the former Bessborough site

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Irish Examiner view: We can't ignore calls to turn Bessborough into a memorial park

Irish Examiner view: We can't ignore calls to turn Bessborough into a memorial park

Cork City Council and An Comisiun Pleanála may have failed to see the humanitarian aspect of approving a plan to build apartments on the notorious Bessborough site

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Survivor's burial claim reignites questions over missing children at Bessborough

Survivor's burial claim reignites questions over missing children at Bessborough

A woman born in Bessborough in the 1950s says that, as a child, she witnessed an illegal burial on the grounds of the notorious Cork mother and baby institution

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Bessborough plan ‘inhuman’, Catherine Corless says at Tuam film premiere

Bessborough plan ‘inhuman’, Catherine Corless says at Tuam film premiere

Historian who uncovered the names of 796 children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home denounces plan to build apartments on Bessborough site in Cork

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

State urged to buy Bessborough site as outcry grows over apartment plan

State urged to buy Bessborough site as outcry grows over apartment plan

A spokesperson said Cork City Council would not be commenting on the decision

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Girl playing with a toy crib and teddy bear in a nursery-themed play room

S Jennifer Horgan: What would a museum of an Irish childhood look like?

I hope we commemorate children long gone, and chart brighter futures for children yet to come

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

'Have they no heart or soul?': State urged to CPO Bessborough lands to stop apartments being built

'Have they no heart or soul?': State urged to CPO Bessborough lands to stop apartments being built

Survivors and campaigners have demanded the Government must compulsorily purchase the land after An Coimisúin Pleanála upheld decision to build apartments there on Thursday

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Department of Children welcomes appeal into High Court decision over mother and baby home redress scheme

Department of Children welcomes appeal into High Court decision over mother and baby home redress scheme

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the appeal means the legal questions arising from the High Court judgment will now be considered by the country’s highest court

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Planning permission upheld for apartments on Bessborough mother and baby home site

Planning permission upheld for apartments on Bessborough mother and baby home site

Permission had been granted in February by the council to Estuary View Enterprises for the building of 140 apartments on the site of the former Bessborough mother and baby institution

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

I worked in Bessborough in 1996 as a student. So many questions came to me too late

I worked in Bessborough in 1996 as a student. So many questions came to me too late

My friend and I might not have known what exactly was going on there, but we knew enough to want to run away from the place, writes Audrey Hackett

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Dominic Finn’s story of being adopted from Bessborough

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Dominic Finn’s story of being adopted from Bessborough

Dominic Finn is one of three ‘Bessborough babies’ who sits on the local authority — a remarkable statistic

Listen | Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Mother and baby homes report

Mother and baby homes admissions in North 2,000 higher than first estimated

Inquiry found 'human rights abuses, degrading treatment, and forced separation of families are recurring and frequent' in evidence from survivors of the homes

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Bon Secure Sisters statement of apology

Second family and survivor day at Tuam mother and baby home site to be held in July

The day is intended to provide those directly affected with an opportunity to visit the site, receive updates on the intervention, and engage with the team overseeing the excavation

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Michael Moynihan: Do we care enough to stop flats being built on Bessborough babies' remains?

Michael Moynihan: Do we care enough to stop flats being built on Bessborough babies' remains?

Michael Moynihan contrasts the respect for the children and babies buried at Bessborough to that of the human remains found during building work five years ago elsewhere in Cork

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Tuam mother and baby exhibition 'powerful reminder of survivor stories'

Tuam mother and baby exhibition 'powerful reminder of survivor stories'

‘Survivor Stories: Tuam and Ireland's Institutional Past’ runs until September 2026.

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Government to 'await outcome of the planning appeal' on Bessborough and then decide how to respond

Government to 'await outcome of the planning appeal' on Bessborough and then decide how to respond

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said if planning permission for 140 apartments was granted next week, the Government 'has a big decision to make — do its State apologies mean anything or are they just performance?'

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Siobhán McSweeney: Cork council go-ahead for 140 apartments on Bessborough site 'f***ing disgraceful'

Siobhán McSweeney: Cork council go-ahead for 140 apartments on Bessborough site 'f***ing disgraceful'

The Cork actor said she wanted to express 'my utter disgust and dismay over Cork City Council’s decision to allow apartments to be built on this site'

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Bessborough survivors vow to chain themselves to diggers to stop apartment plan

Bessborough survivors vow to chain themselves to diggers to stop apartment plan

More than 250 people at Sunday’s commemoration heard that survivors of the mother and baby home and their supporters will not stand by if planning is upheld and construction begins on the site

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Vigils held at Bessborough to have children’s burial ground memorialised

Vigils held at Bessborough to have children’s burial ground memorialised

Campaigns are ongoing to have the children’s burial ground memorialised and block the construction of a housing development at the site

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Survivors to hold vigil to ensure children buried in Bessborough 'are not forgotten'

Survivors to hold vigil to ensure children buried in Bessborough 'are not forgotten'

Organisers of Saturday’s vigil say members of the public are welcome to attend in a 'spirit of respect and reflection'

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

'Do Cork people not care?' Catherine Corless calls on people to fight Bessborough development

'Do Cork people not care?' Catherine Corless calls on people to fight Bessborough development

'Do Cork people not care? All those little children and young babies. And does the church not care?'

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Pharmacist filling prescription in pharmacy

Pharmacists to be allowed issue contraception prescriptions

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is seeking Cabinet approval today to progress legislation expanding pharmacists' prescribing permissions

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026