[MaryMagdalene]

Nope Ivan was not the name of the dog when I was there. It was an old goldern retriever type. He was Sr. Ambrose's dog (I think). Was Sr. Anne small with dark hair?

[Mazdoll]

Grey haired woman, id say she was a nurse at some stage, she would check you out if ya had a pain or an ache. I Remember the small dark haired nun was her name Sr Claire. Did they change the nuns up there on a regular basis. I remember another one called Catherine she was from the Good Shepherds in Waterford.

Originally Posted by MaryMagdalene

Nope Ivan was not the name of the dog when I was there. It was an old goldern retriever type. He was Sr. Ambrose's dog (I think). Was Sr. Anne small with dark hair?

[deisemum]

My sister was there in the spring of 1984. My nephew was born in Hollis St.

[amdublin]

Originally Posted by Mazdoll

My son is twenty this week. It has been two decades since I spent my pregnancy in the Good Shepherd Mother and baby home in Dunboyne. My son is with me and we have not had an easy life but a good life "together". I always think of all the girls who were there in dunboyne spending their preganacy with me. All the babies given up for adoption, where are they now, the heart ache and loss of the Mam's and the waiting for contact over these years.

I think of the letters we had to write to our babies, newly born at the time and the cries in the "after hospital room" from us mothers for the loss of our children.

If any of you are reading this, I have not forgotten and for every milestone I reach with my son, I think of you and hope that one day you will be reunited.

This post moved me to tears.

I wish you all the best of luck with your futures, your searches and hopefully successful reunions (if that is what you wish for).

Thank you for posting.


Ps. I know that hotel. I never knew it was a convent/unmarried mothers home (sorry if I'm not using the right term to describe it).

[Chocolate]

I'm from Dunboyne. The convent dog that I remember from my childhood was called Jacko.

[Mazdoll]

My son was also born in Holles Street in 1989.
Different life time, so many of us went through there, i have always wondered where we all have ended up in life.
Nice to hear the other voices though just proves that it was real

Originally Posted by deisemum

My sister was there in the spring of 1984. My nephew was born in Hollis St.

[MaryMagdalene]

Chocolate - Jacko that was it!!!! Thank you for putting me out of my misery

Amdublin2 - thanks for your post. I'm just glad that it has changed use.

Deisemum - hope your sister is doing okay.

[dunboyner]

worked for years there decorating knew alot of the girls in the 80s afew were great crack but most had it hard meet 1 r 2 on trips in to town 1 girl from cork was mad felt sorry for most.if sisters heard ye talkin to them teyd hit the roof :eek:l

[MaryMagdalene]

Hi Dunboyner, don't remember any decorating being done when I was there but its gas that you weren't allowed to talk to us - maybe they were afraid that we would lead you astray .


Its funny when I speak to people about that time - even people my own age or older - they just can't understand the 'institutionalisation' of it all and the long term effects that it has on people. God love those that were brought up in those places.

[Mammyof2]

Hi,

Was that the only mother and baby home in Dublin, my husband was adopted through St. Patrick Guild, in Blackrock, and we were wondering if his Mum might have spent her time in Dunboyne.

On another note I never knew the hotel was the mother and baby home and I have stayed there its making me look at it in a whole new light.

[marybang]

hi all,
i have found out recently that my birth mum was in dunboyne in 1977 from about march till i was born in the may. i have only gotten my info from the adoption agency in dublin, who i have to say have been sooo helpful. but i would appreciate some info on the home as it is something that does worry me as i dont want to upset her or bring back bad memories. i am in the process of writing a letter to my birth mum, as part of making contact, which she is open to. having a lot of difficulty in knowing what to put in the letter especially as i have had 30+ years to think about it

[Mammyof2]

Congrats on finding your bm, do you mind me asking how long the process took and how you went about it, we are just starting off now on the process. Also how do you know your Mum was in Dunboyne and do you mind me asking what adoption agency it was?

I hope you dont mind me asking,.

[marybang]

Hi Mammyof2
i am gogin to try and send you a pm as i dont want all my info up on the public area.

[Mammyof2]

I understand and any help you could give us woudl be really appreciated, we are only new to this thanks again.

[marybang]

tried a PM hope it went through - new to this site