'The Lost Children of Tuam': Catherine Corless 'overwhelmed' at red-carpet Dublin screening

Catherine Corless, centre, with Monica Dolan who plays her in the film and producer Liam Neeson at the screening of 'The Lost Children of Tuam' at the Lighthouse in Dublin. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Catherine Corless said she was "overwhelmed" as the story of her campaign to uncover the deaths of hundreds of children at the former Tuam mother and baby institution was screened in Dublin on Friday night.

The Lost Children of Tuam was screened at Dublin's Lighthouse Cinema on Friday night. Among those on the red carpet were producer Liam Neeson, Monica Dolan, who portrays Ms Corless, Andrew Bennett, who plays her husband Aidan, as well as the couple themselves and members of the Element Pictures team.

Ms Corless, who uncovered the names of the 796 children who died in the Tuam institution, said that seeing the story portrayed on screen was an emotional experience. 

“I am so overwhelmed,” she said. 

“I never thought this would end up here like this on a red carpet. But the film brings hope and it also shines a light on what went on in the home. 

"Everyone was so respectful of the story and they got it right. Monica [Dolan] did become me and I am very pleased with the film.

Catherine Corless: 'The fight goes on'

“But the fight goes on, we have to get all the children, and I would not be surprised if another hundred babies were found in the next update from the exhumation at Tuam. The story is not over, and we need to find all of those missing children.”

Andrew Bennett said: “It was such a privilege to play this role, and it was so important for Catherine to have Aidan by her side where he supported her when people didn’t believe her and didn’t support her. She did extraordinary work."

Also in attendance was Anna Corrigan, whose connection to the Tuam home is deeply personal — two of her brothers died at the institution. She described the film as “deeply moving and important”.

"We just want to find the children and my two brothers are still missing.

"This film keeps the focus on Tuam but there are still 9,000 babies from homes missing and they need to be found,” she said.

Bafta winner Monica Dolan said it was a privilege to be involved in the film. 

"Catherine looked for the things that were not there. There were hardly any records or documents and thank God, Catherine Corless persevered and asked genuine questions and had the confidence when other people were suggesting they were Famine bones. It’s about listening to people in the right way.

“She didn’t dismiss the information she got, and she kept at it and didn’t let it go.” 

Director Frank Berry ( Michael Inside, Aisha) said it was important to include real life survivors in the film. “It’s been a long journey, and we are really glad with the response to date.

“We did everything we could to be sensitive and it’s good to have some fear, and being responsive to the survivors it kept us on our toes.

"Everyone felt the responsibility for the entire crew that how important this film is.

“We wanted a sequence where people could see themselves and the hurt they are carrying and it would be lovely to see the real survivors to see it and say ‘yeah, that’s me'”.

The Lost Children of Tuam is released in cinemas next Friday, September 25.