Digital exhibition tells moving story of NI’s Mother and Baby Institutions

A digital exhibition showcasing the harrowing stories of young women forced to give up their babies at Northern Ireland’s mother and baby institutions has been launched in Londonderry.

The Marian Hotel Digital Exhibition brings together the real-life experiences of young, unmarried mothers through oral history recordings, filmed readings of creative writing and personal photographs.

Material compiled during the project includes oral histories, creative writing, old photos of families separated and reunited, documents and letters from adoption agencies, and images of the crumbling and derelict Marianvale house in Newry.

All of the pieces have been put together in the dedicated digital exhibition on the Sole Purpose website.

Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh is the Sole Purpose Productions Development Officer and has been leading on this project since July 2024.

She said: “This will provide a living resource for people who want to learn more about this terrible time in our history. It may also encourage some people who have been traumatised by their experiences in one of these institutions to come forward and tell their stories and find some peace of mind.”

The online exhibition launched at Derry’s Playhouse Theatre was attended by the participants and their families, project funders, partners, and local supporters, including Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Darren Guy.

Creators of the project said it gave mothers the courage to tell their stories, shed tears for torn apart lives and give voice to all of the women and children impacted. The initiative was supported by WAVE Trauma Centre, who provided wellbeing support and safeguarding guidance throughout.

One of the project participants, Caitriona Cunningham, wrote the acclaimed play The Marian Hotel, produced by the theatre company Sole Purpose Productions.

During the tour many more women from Derry, Belfast, Newry, and Armagh, were encouraged to tell their stories and explore their memories of the institutions through a series of oral history recordings and creative writing workshops.

One of those who came forward, Mary Nolan, said: “I have found a lot of encouragement and support within this project. My aim is to write a book about my experience and that of the girls and women who are no longer alive. I feel I have been given a voice through the project.”

Another, Fiona O’Doherty, added: “The workshops brought up a lot of emotions that I had buried. I’m so glad they came to light as I was able to talk about my feelings. I have been able to shed my tears, and I had no fears of being judged. I felt safe and secure being honest about what I said.”

On the Sole Purpose website, a resource page is available, including links and contact information for support services, as well as information on the ongoing Truth Recovery Independent Panel’s investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses in Northern Ireland.

The project was made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Sole Purpose also receives core funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

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