Mother and Baby and County Homes: An Explainer

What Was a Mother and Baby or County Home – and Why Did the Network of Institutions Exist?

The network of Mother and Baby and County ‘Homes’ existed across the Republic of Ireland from the foundation of the state until the last four closed in 1998. The very last of these was Bessborough in Co. Cork. While similar institutions existed across Europe, the extent of the institutions in Ireland was unique.

Though the Homes were by no means exclusively Catholic institutions, they reflected the influence of the church. Both Government and Church believed that a newly independent Ireland should be a beacon of ‘morality.’ As such, the Mother and Baby and County Home system was adopted by the new national Government, with a view to ‘reforming’ those whom they regarded as ’fallen women.’

The Language of Criminalisation

The language used to describe women being admitted reveals the mindset of the time. The Homes were there to ‘rehabilitate’ those admitted. Women were described as ‘first time offenders’ on initial admittance. If someone was admitted on more than one occasion they were labelled as ‘second’ or ‘persistent offenders.’

A witness to a 1925 Commission described those who entered a Home more than once as ‘a danger to the community.’ In short, it was the language of criminalisation.

Purpose and Management of the Homes

The Homes were set up to accommodate unmarried pregnant women or those who had given birth to a child. They were run either as private institutions or under the auspices of Local Authorities, receiving funding from both congregations and from the State.

Regardless of management, the day-to-day running was often carried out by Nuns. Once admitted, mothers were expected to remain there for a period of time before being discharged. The length of stay for both mother and child varied from institution to institution.

Why Women Entered the Homes

Women entered the Homes as they were often left without viable alternatives. The societal pressures that created the Homes also meant there was little support for unmarried mothers:

• Parents often felt they couldn’t or wouldn’t support their daughters.

• The State offered no financial assistance to unmarried mothers.

• Employment opportunities were limited or lost entirely.

As a result, many women had no choice but to enter.

Separation from Children

Many women left the Homes without being able to bring their children with them. Barriers were often put in place that prevented mothers from keeping their babies, and many reported feeling compelled to give them up.

Some reluctantly signed forms for adoption, devastated by the loss but recognising they had few other options. Others stated that children were taken without their consent.

Mothers were generally denied the chance to bond with their babies. Some were allowed to feed their child, but this was often the only contact. Many recalled the pain of returning to an empty cot – separation that, for many, lasted a lifetime.

Conditions Inside the Homes

Conditions in the Mother and Baby Homes were often poor, particularly before the mid-1960s.

• A 1936 inspection of Bethany House described overcrowding and inadequately trained nursing staff.

• Overcrowding persisted for decades, making privacy impossible.

• Many Homes lacked sufficient washing and toilet facilities.

Abuse and Psychological Impact

Women inside the Homes frequently reported verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. From the outset, they were told they would not be keeping their children. Psychological abuse was used to undermine their confidence in raising a child, leaving long-term effects on mental health.

Physical Toll on Mothers

The physical health of women also suffered:

• They carried out backbreaking labour while heavily pregnant.

• Pre-natal care was inadequate.

• Many experienced traumatic childbirth with little medical support, leading to lifelong injuries and pain.

Conditions for Children

Children born in the Homes were often subjected to neglect and poor care. Infant mortality was a constant issue:

• Rates were six times higher than the general population.

• In Bessborough in the 1930s, infant mortality reached up to ten times the national average.

• Communal overcrowding spread infectious diseases.

• Enteritis, diarrhoea, and malnutrition were leading causes of death.

Although mortality rates eased later with immunisation and improved sanitation, they remained above national levels.

Lasting Legacy

The institutions may now be closed, but their impact is lifelong. Survivors live with the separation from children or siblings, psychological trauma, and stigma. Families continue to be affected today.

Support for Survivors

Support exists for people across Ireland and Britain. If you were a mother or child who spent time in a County Home and want further information, please contact:

Renewing Roots at renewingroots@frea.org.uk or 07432 138682 or see our website, which also contains a list of County Homes.