Geoff42 wrote: » Hello all, Late joining but hopefully not too late. I was born in the national maternity hospital late 1973. My BM stayed in the Dunboyne Convent and I was wondering if there were any contacts there during this time. I am looking to track my BM. Many thanks
carolann66 wrote: » Very late joining this forum, I know. I was born in 1966 in Holles Street. My mother had been in Dunboyne. We reunited 20 years ago, but I live out of the country so don't get to see her much. I am very happy she is in my life, she is lovely. I don't know if her experience is rare, but she says that she was treated quite well in the home. She talks about having to make holy pictures out of x-rays in a basement. Does anyone else remember this? Also, she had me with her for three months after my birth, until I was adopted. She wanted to keep me but was advised heavily against it. C
blueroom90 wrote: » blueroom90 Me too after 25 years. I was there in 1990 from May to November. It brings back such memories for me. I stayed in the blue room and shared it with two others. Then moved to the cubicles when I got bigger. I remember cleaning that red corridor outside SR Anne's office. The dog Ivan. Chrissie and Etna that worked there. Sheila that gave us the ante natal classes. I also remember the money man coming on a Tuesday and giving is pocket money!! The visitors room that I cried so often in. The chapel was beautiful. The smokers room and the phone box that I waited everyday for a call, that phone box was under the stairs and we loved getting a call, everyone ringing asking for different names that never existed. The laundry washing outside in the room. You could just go there for a think. I too remember the prayers in the morning. The knitting and the envelopes in boxes. The big oak tree outside and wishing somebody would come and get me. The girls are what kept me going. The back stairs and we going to Holles street in the bus. Taken in the back door so nobody saw us. I remember being on phone duty and door duty in the convent. The first room to the left in the main door. We never used that entrance of course we used the side entrance. I never cried as much in that house before and after the birth. The girls standing waving me off. Such memories at 16 I will never forget. Rosemary
Laura1968 wrote: » I remember Kathy(?), but couldn't remember her name. I think I have worked in the same place as her since, but never felt I could approach her with work colleagues around. I had a great conversation with her on the typewriter on one of her first days. The nuns had given her some typing to do for them, and we continued on having a conversation using the typewriter, she'd type something, then I'd take it and answer. Pre internet form of instant messaging, I suppose :-) Yes, Bernie was the small, wiry girl from Galway. I think she only turned 14 after her baby was born. The Siobhan from Cork that I knew was gone before me, so don't think that is the Mary you're talking about, but if we already had a Siobhan and a Siobhan Mary when she arrived, then another variation would have to be found, I suppose. Was Helen the lady who had her own car, a small red one? I met her since. She had been adamant her baby was going for adoption. She was not a kid, like some of us, she was older, had a good job, and had leave of absence to "disappear", but would be resuming her life after the baby was born. I met her about 4 years later in Abbey street, her son was living with her, having never gone for adoption after all, despite going to foster care initially, and she was in touch with his Dad (he lived overseas) and they were happy. I remember packing the envelopes, but only very rarely. I can't understand how/why I wasn't doing that. I know school lessons were late afternoons and evenings after tea, as the teachers who come in to us taught in regular schools, and came to us out of hours as it were. I know I slipped on the concrete floor in the laundry when I heavily pregnant, and was carefully monitored by Sr Claire in case I might go into labour early, but all was well. Will write more later, need to go to work! :-)[/quote Hello Laura1968 I read your post and think I was there with you late 84 to Jan 85, hopefully you get this message
Ann Marie 2 wrote: » I was there from Dec 80- May 81,with a last minute change of heart my father gave permission for my baby to come home with me, she will be 35 in may and has two kids! I will never forget my time there... Met some lovely girls and heard some sad stories!
lilliemaie wrote: » I was there from March till May 1981 Think I remember you were a small attractive blond or red haired girl I was known as Margaret have only logged in after a long time
RANIA wrote: » Hi Lilliemaie do you remember Christina very small dark hair ? Gave birth in march 1980
TR1989 wrote: » Hi i was there approx the same time as you April/May 1989. I never got any counselling and have kept all inside since. i am probably late replying now. Some things i can remember and others i can't -i think i buried it all in the back of my mind, but reading all of this is helping me remember it. I do remember the first room we were taken to with my parents and i felt so low. my son was 28yrs in May and every year i hope to hear from him but nothing yet but i live in hope. i told my husband before we married, but whenever we disagree on something or fall out-he reminds me of the fact that i gave my son away and that i have a 'past'. its hard enough to live with the sadness of giving up your son but to be reminded of it in a hurtful way is hard. i am so glad that some got to keep their babies and others have made contact -it gives me hope.....
