Bessborough to become a suicide support centre

One of the country’s most notorious mother and baby homes is set to get a new lease of life as a specialist suicide support and prevention centre.

Suicide charity Console has acquired Bessborough House in Cork City and plans to convert the Georgian mansion into its largest support, training and education facility.

“Bessborough House has such a sad history but we hope to turn it into something positive and life-giving — this is a positive story,” Console founder Paul Kelly said.