Sometimes, the most meaningful collaborations come from unexpected places. That’s how a deeply personal research project began between Dr Declan Monaghan, an occasional lecturer and tutor, and Jennifer Brady, a third-year PhD candidate, graduate teaching assistant, and grant holder manager in the Department of History at MU. By chance, they discovered they shared a personal experience—being adopted—and found themselves drawn to a project that explores the history of two prominent Irish adoption institutions.
Declan, adopted from Temple Hill (St. Patrick’s Infant and Dietetic Hospital) in Blackrock in 1971, and Jennifer, adopted from the Bird’s Nest Children’s Home in Dun Laoghaire in 1974 were surprised by how much their personal stories mirrored each other’s. “When we started talking, it was clear we had so many of the same experiences”, says Declan. “That’s when the idea for the project really started to take shape.”
Their project focuses on Temple Hill, a Catholic-run institution, and the Bird’s Nest, a Protestant-run home—through oral histories. By interviewing former employees and adoptees, they aim to uncover not just the institutional history but also the personal stories that have often been left behind—the people who lived through it, and the nurses and staff who cared for them.
The project holds deep personal significance for both Declan and Jennifer. “I was only three and a half months old when I was adopted”, he reflects. “I have no memories from that time, but meeting the nurses who cared for me has been incredibly emotional. It’s helping me piece together a part of my history that was lost to me.”
Jennifer shares a similar sentiment; she was adopted from the Bird's Nest at nine months. “Meeting someone who was there when I was a baby is surreal”, she shares. “It’s like finding a missing part of your past you didn’t even know you were looking for.”
At the heart of the project is a desire to give adoptees a resource they can turn to—an opportunity to learn more about their early lives in a respectful, private way.
Declan and Jennifer want the project to offer adoptees the chance to hear directly from those who were involved in their early lives. “We want to create a space where adoptees can hear from the people who were there—whether that’s nurses, staff, or other adoptees”, Declan explains. “It’s about giving them access to these stories and offering a deeper, more personal perspective on adoption.”
Alongside the book they plan to publish, Declan and Jennifer are creating a website where adoptees can listen to interviews with former nurses and employees from Temple Hill and the Bird’s Nest. Through these stories, they hope to challenge misconceptions about adoption. “Adoption is often seen as something ‘lucky’”, Declan notes. “But it’s much more complex than that. It's not just about having ‘good parents.’ It’s about a lifelong search for identity, belonging, and understanding.”
Jennifer adds, “We want to provide reassurance. Whether the stories are joyful or painful, we want to create a space where adoptees can make sense of their past without judgement.”
The project is ongoing, and Declan and Jennifer are eager to hear from more former employees and adoptees who are open to sharing their stories. “We want to continue gathering perspectives”, Declan says. “If you were part of either Temple Hill or the Bird’s Nest, or if you are an adoptee, we’d love to hear from you.”
For more information or to get involved, you can contact Declan at [email protected] or Jennifer at [email protected]. You can also read more about the project in their recent RTÉ Brainstorm article: The story of Ireland's adoption history in two institutions.