Skip Page Links

  • Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2021
  • Link for January 2021
27 January 2021

Report on Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland

A research report on historical Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries between 1922 and 1990 has been published by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The research was carried out by a team of academic experts from Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast. It gives an account of individual and collective experiences of the institutions and highlights the need for further examination of a number of important issues, including adoption and infant mortality rates.

The research examined eight Mother and Baby Homes, a number of former workhouses and four Magdalene Laundries. It found that around 10,500 women were admitted to Mother and Baby institutions and around 3,000 women were admitted to Magdalene Laundries here between 1922 and 1990 – the period covered by the research. The last Mother and Baby institution closed in 1990; the last Magdalene Laundry in 1984.

Lead researchers Professor Sean O’Connell from the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University and Dr Leanne McCormick from the School of Arts & Humanities at Ulster University commented:


"This important research project has been difficult and we are pleased that the report has been published. We would like to thank our small team of dedicated researchers (Dr Livi Dee and Dr John Privilege) who worked with us to write and pull such a complex report together. However, our biggest thank you is due to all those who came forward to offer such difficult personal testimony that is such a central and vital part of the report.

“The report also draws attention to areas that need further research for the full story of the institutions to be told."

Some of the key findings from the report include:

  • There were strong similarities with the experience of women examined in the recent report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, although there were a number of key differences.
  • There was stigma attached to pregnancy outside of marriage.
  • Women and girls were admitted by families, doctors, priests and state agencies.
  • They were required to undertake tough chores late into pregnancy.
  • They had little preparation for childbirth and some had cold and castigating birth experiences.
  • Many women and girls were separated from their children by placing them in children’s homes, boarding them out (fostering) or through adoption.
  • There was also the issue of the cross-border movement of women and children into and out of these institutions.
  • Some questions about adoption and infant mortality rates remain unanswered and will require further examination.
  • Women and girls entered Magdalene Laundries by a number of routes, including from Mother and Baby institutions.
  • There is evidence of some admissions to Magdalene Laundries triggered by the circumstances of our past.
  • Girls and women were given ‘class names’ and there was a greater number of children (under 18s) in the laundries than the Hart Inquiry was able to identify.
  • Work in the laundries was carried out without pay and some women spent a lifetime in a laundry, died and were buried from there.

The report was commissioned by the Executive’s Inter-Departmental Working Group on Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse.

The Executive have agreed that an independent investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries should be carried out, and shaped by survivors through a co-design process, which will be facilitated by experts and completed within six months.

The research report has been published and is available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publication-research-report-mbhml


Share Article:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

Related Topics

Find out more about Faculty - Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesFind out more about School of Arts and HumanitiesFind out more about Research and Impact

Related news

  1. Wed 03 Aug 2022

    Outstanding Academic Impact recognised with the announcement of three new National Teaching Fellowships from Ulster University

  2. Wed 15 Jun 2022

    Ulster University receives more than £450,000 from UK Government for arts and humanities research

  3. Wed 05 Jan 2022

    Top awards for inspirational Ulster Uni Cinematic Arts student

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE Research Portal

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties at Ulster University
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
Study At Facebook UU Facebook
Study At Youtube UU Youtube
Ulster Uni Instagram

Footer Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).