Children of a Lesser God: The story of the County Clare Mother and Baby Home 1922-1932

Wed 27th July 2022

This is the story of the County Clare Nursery, a Mother and Baby Home, that was housed in Kilrush Workhouse from 1922 – 1932.

This Institution was set up as part of the County Clare Amalgamation to replace the Poor Law in the County. It also became the facility for unmarried pregnant women and their children as well as acting as an Orphanage.

Upwards of 400 children were born there – but the poor condition of the building – and the lack of adequate provisions for the women and children – meant a horrendously high death rate.

This talk will explore the reasons why a “high death rate” was the case – and why little or no provision was made to improve the lives of the women and children.

speaker

Rita McCarthy

date

Wed 27th July 2022

time

8:00 PM

location

Cultúrlann Sweeney,
O’Connell St.,
Kilkee V15 P960

admission

Free

About the speaker

Rita McCarthy

Rita McCarthy is a Social Historian whose area of interest includes Ireland in the post 1922 period; particularly the lives of women and children in the Free State. She works in Adult Education where she teaches Irish History and Heritage Studies.

Rita McCarthy is also an Independent Researcher and has produced and presented Radio Documentaries and Podcasts. Whilst researching her MA she uncovered the existence of the County Clare Mother and Baby home (1922 – 1932) and she has written and presented an Exhibition on the topic. Rita is currently writing a book on the County Clare institution.

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