Joyce Fegan: Ann Lovett’s story finally gets big screen treatment

This is also a story of Ireland — how a girl could end up giving birth alone in a grotto, and what systems and strata of social control led to these circumstances?

The grotto where 15-year-old Ann Lovett died with her newborn baby.

Born in 1980s Ireland, you were aware of “the girl in the grotto” story. The facts were scant. Your imagination filled in the gaping holes. You asked no questions whatsoever, you knew not to.

Sex education at school was either non-existent or fear-based in nature. So what you were left with was this fearful sense — an internalised, yet wise warning, to not get pregnant.