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

She derives comfort from the possibility that her baby is surrounded “by other angels” buried at the site.

Ann returned to Bessborough once again for a vigil organised with fellow survivor Catherine Coffey O’Brien.

Campaigners have been fighting to have the children’s burial ground memorialised through formal markings and preservation.

Ms O’Gorman’s daughter Evelyn died at Bessborough and is believed to be buried there, although no records have been uncovered to confirm this.

The event was one of two vigils that took place over the weekend at Bessborough.

A separate event held on Sunday was organised by Carmel Cantwell, whose mother, Bridget, gave birth to a son, William, at Bessborough in December 1960.

She is part of a group campaigning to block the construction of a housing development at the site.

Despite being just 17 when she gave birth to her daughter in 1971, Ann O’Gorman still regrets not going to see baby Evelyn after she died.

“When I woke up, a nun came into my room and told me that she was an angel in Heaven,” Ms O’Gorman said. 

“Another nun came in about an hour after that and asked me if I wanted to see my baby. I said no because I was too frightened.

“I had never seen a dead person before. If I could go back now, I would have definitely looked at her. I think about that all the time. I’d love to know what she looked like.”

Ms O’Gorman, who lives with Parkinson’s disease and other health conditions, said it was a letter from Pope Francis a few years ago that led to her reclaiming her faith.

“He said that he was sure I would meet Evelyn at the gates of Heaven. It softened my heart at a time when I didn’t have trust in anyone.

“Even the government didn’t seem to be doing anything to help survivors. My religion had been gone, but it came back.

“I often go down to St Augustine’s in Limerick to light candles for everyone. I don’t believe in the priests and the nuns, but I do believe in God and that Eveyln is with me all the time.

“There were so many babies who died in Bessborough. I know she is surrounded by angels.”

Fellow survivor Catherine Coffey O’Brien emphasised that the vigil was not political.

“We have never been political, and we do not want this politicised,” she said.

“This is about the babies and the girls who are buried in the children’s burial ground at Bessborough.”