The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy welcomes the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes published today.  We were not directly involved with the Commission’s work, but we did facilitate the Commission with access to our archives in the course of its work.

As the report outlines, Sisters of Mercy provided staffing support at Stranorlar Co Donegal over the years 1899 to 1980, initially for its Board of Governors, and later on behalf of Donegal County Council. Sisters of Mercy also provided staffing support on behalf of County Clare Board of Health at ‘Kilrush Nursery’ Co Clare between 1922 and 1928. Sisters of Mercy also served in various capacities in the The Cork County Home from 1870 onwards.  

Sisters of Mercy had no trustee roles in these public institutions and have not at any time held personal records in respect of persons who were resident in them.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge that many women were so wrongly shunned and shamed by Irish society because they were pregnant out of wedlock. We welcome this Commission’s Report as it shines a light on a very dark period in our country’s history. Our thoughts are with these women and their children today.