New book all about the history of a Clare mother and baby home to be launched next week

A new book that gives insight into life at a mother and baby home in Clare is set to be released next week by local business Banner Books. 

'Forgotten Lives' by Rita McCarthy tells the story of the County Clare nursery, which operated for 10 years, from 1922-1932. 

The highly-acclaimed book will be published on Thursday, August 21 and there is an open invitation to the launch, taking place that day in the Local Studies Centre in Ennis Library at 6pm. 

This book is an important addition, not only to the local history texts but also to the social and political history of Ireland in its early years as a new state and beyond.

In 1922, the County Clare nursery, a state-supported mother and baby home, was opened in part of Kilrush Workhouse. For the ten years of its existence, it was owned and funded by Clare County Council. For the first six years, it was managed by the Sisters of Mercy and lay staff thereafter. 

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Rita McCarthy, a social historian, extensively researched original archives, newspaper reports and oral histories to recount the story of this unique institution, placing it in the historical context of how unmarried mothers and illegitimate children were treated in Irish society.

While the conditions in the nursery were inhumane and the death rate of babies was described by the doctor in charge as ‘appalling’, this is also a story of good people trying to do their best to help the women and children in the home. 

McCarthy offers an insight into the characters of the women from all parts of County Clare who spent time in the institution. Interviews with a survivor and descendants of some of the women recount life after the County nursery.

This book ensures that the Clare mother and baby home and the women and children who were unfortunate enough to spend time within its walls, will not be forgotten.

'Forgotten Lives' is for sale in Banner Books, Ennistymon and Kilrush, on their website and in shops around the county and beyond.