Annual commemoration for those who lost their lives in Bessborough to take place this weekend

The 10th annual commemoration event for those who lost their lives at the Bessborough mother-and-baby home in Cork is set to take place this Sunday.

The event, at Bessborough Centre in Blackrock, will start at 2pm, and will commemorate the lives of the women and children that were lost during their time at the home.

Hosted by members of the adoption support group, ‘Know my Own,’ the day will also have a focus on the mother-and-baby institutions payment scheme, with special guest speakers Professor Mairead Enright, and advocate for survivors Patricia Carey.

The Lord Mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy will deliver a speech.

There will be live music performed by Myles Gaffney, with Cork’s 96FM presenter PJ Coogan MCing.

Event organiser Carmel Cantwell said: 

“We keep coming back, year after year, as we feel that the 923 children that were born in Bessborough that died haven’t got justice.

“The majority of them are missing and despite years of requests to the Government to do an extensive investigation of the grounds to find their burial place, we have been refused.

“There are two live planning applications on the grounds, which are overdrawn for a decision,” she added.

“We believe that there should be no developments built on the grounds. 

“What’s left of Bessborough should be given back to the community and preserved in the memory of all those that died and those mothers and children that were separated,” Ms Cantwell said.