Recognition for the mothers and babies from the County Clare Nursery in the form of a fitting memorial is needed in the town of Kilrush.

Records indicate that between 300 to 400 women lived at the Nursery from 1922 to 1932 with considerably more children. Baptismal records suggest 330 children were born there during this period while 168 infants died in this time.

Rita McCarthy has been researching this particular Mother & Baby Home since 2009. “Dreadful” conditions and lack of proper food led to the high death rate, she stated. “The water was running down the walls. There was no sanitary conditions, there was no hot water, there was no cold water, there was nothing, these people were living in the most unbelievably primitive conditions, it is not enough to say this was because of its time, even in its time councillors were going along and paying lip service saying it was a disgrace”.

An example of the conditions cited by Rita include women doing laundry while water was up to their ankles in the cold of winter.

In a memo written to the Minister for Local Government and Health in 1924 by Dr Counihan asked for the rations to be increased. This was initially agreed to and then questioned with the Board of Health asking for the rations to be reduced.

As one of the main contributors to the chapter on Kilrush in the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, the historian admitted that the topic has become an obsession. She told The Clare Echo that a fitting memorial is needed in the West Clare town for the mothers and babies. “I feel very strongly that these women and all their children deserve some recognition. There must be some memorial for the women and children. We need to remember at least look and say this happened in our town behind the gates of the Workhouse and these were the conditions the people were in”.

The absence of fathers is highlighted, many of whom were allowed walk away while the women took the shame and blame. Abandoned children who were without a name were sometimes given a name such as ‘Hill’ for a child was found on a hill, noting the location in which they were found.

“There are several reports where they acknowledged the conditions certainly some doctors and matrons were looking to improve food and conditions. There are people who knew it was happening and did nothing,” she noted.

Related News

emmet calvey jake corry luke murphy-2
Date set for third Odd Socks Cycle
gort lavally rd 1
Concerns flagged with 234 house development in Gort
immersion heater
'Immersion row' - husband claims in court wife has breached sworn undertaking by switching off immersion
cliffs of moher ledge 2
€320k upgrade sees opening of Ledge 4D Experience at the Cliffs of Moher
Latest News
gort lavally rd 1
Concerns flagged with 234 house development in Gort
denise o'brien
What is Change Management?
immersion heater
'Immersion row' - husband claims in court wife has breached sworn undertaking by switching off immersion
cliffs of moher ledge 2
€320k upgrade sees opening of Ledge 4D Experience at the Cliffs of Moher
Kevin Corrigan, Pat Dowling, Carmel Kirby
'Ulterior motive' accusation thrown at councillors by Chief Exec for 'persistent concentration' on Ennis 2040 DAC
Premium
Kevin Corrigan, Pat Dowling, Carmel Kirby
'Ulterior motive' accusation thrown at councillors by Chief Exec for 'persistent concentration' on Ennis 2040 DAC
clare v kilkenny 10-03-24 david fitzgerald 1
Fitzgerald insists Clare's sole focus is championship
ennis courthouse tent 24-02-21 4
Clare man who coercively controlled wife faces 'significant custodial sentence'
avenue utd v tulla utd 10-04-24 éanna culloo cullen mccabe 1
All too easy as Avenue advance past Tulla to Clare Cup quarter-finals
lahinch promenade car park 21-08-23 4
'Dog SWAT team' needed to clamp down on disgusting behaviour on Clare beaches

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top