Adoptees-Turned-Academics Launch Project On Irish Institutional Childhoods

Thursday, 5 June 2025 12:23

By Martin Osborne

Their goal is to give the public, especially adoptees and their families, a deeper understanding of what life was like in each institution.

Two academics from Maynooth University, both adopted in the 1970s, have joined forces to explore the history of two significant Irish adoption institutions: The Bird’s Nest and Temple Hill.

Jennifer Brady and Declan Monaghan were surprised to discover they grew up just kilometres apart - Jennifer in the Protestant-run Bird’s Nest and Declan in the Catholic-run Temple Hill.

Their shared experiences sparked a collaborative research project aimed at preserving and presenting the stories of adoptees and staff from both institutions.

The pair have already interviewed 20 former nurses and are planning to launch a dedicated website and book. The project will share first-hand accounts, such as what the early weeks and months of childhood in these institutions were like, offering a rare glimpse into daily life inside the homes.

Their goal is to give the public, especially adoptees and their families, a deeper understanding of what life was like in each institution.

It will also explore what the early weeks and months of childhood in these institutions were like.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Declan explained how the two discovered they were adopted in establishments just moments from each other.

You can listen to the full interview here.