Adoption in Ireland in the 70's (17)

Nov 11, 2013 4:36 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
I was adopted in the 70's and my parents were told a heap of lies by the nuns who ran the orphanage, thank God I was adopted at 5 weeks old so remember nothing of that place and had a great childhood, but in my search found out lots about my family and still have lots more to find out. I'd be interested to hear your story if you'd like to talk about it here or in a private message. Maybe we could help someone who might be thinking about finding their biological parents and starting their journey of discovery.
Nov 11, 2013 6:23 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
mjpd67
mjpd67mjpd67galway, Galway Ireland181 Threads 5 Polls 6,550 Posts
Charolette: I was adopted in the 70's and my parents were told a heap of lies by the nuns who ran the orphanage, thank God I was adopted at 5 weeks old so remember nothing of that place and had a great childhood, but in my search found out lots about my family and still have lots more to find out. I'd be interested to hear your story if you'd like to talk about it here or in a private message. Maybe we could help someone who might be thinking about finding their biological parents and starting their journey of discovery.
im not here to judge anyone but a tough subject and very emotional for some people to chat about even to this day hug
Nov 11, 2013 6:40 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
Think you might be right there, just thought people might like to share there stories and talk about their experiences. I know I don't have a problem speaking out about it, I actually was on the Gerry Ryan (RIP) Show a few years back speaking about it.
Nov 11, 2013 6:50 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Brannigan70
Brannigan70Brannigan70Yellow Brick Road , Manchester, Mayo Ireland35 Threads 2,339 Posts
Charolette: Think you might be right there, just thought people might like to share there stories and talk about their experiences. I know I don't have a problem speaking out about it, I actually was on the Gerry Ryan (RIP) Show a few years back speaking about it.
You lived to tell your story and feeling secure enough to share it with others here . I'm happy for you thumbs up

Lots to be said for your positive outlook .

wave
Nov 11, 2013 6:52 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
mjpd67
mjpd67mjpd67galway, Galway Ireland181 Threads 5 Polls 6,550 Posts
Charolette: Think you might be right there, just thought people might like to share there stories and talk about their experiences. I know I don't have a problem speaking out about it, I actually was on the Gerry Ryan (RIP) Show a few years back speaking about it.
takes courage i suppose to speak in public about it ,fair play to you, jerry went quick enough used to like him on the radio ,he even stood in on the late late show one night thought he was brilliant ,not going of the beaten path but im sure you will chat to a lot of people private mail about your thread ,hope you find what your looking for some day anyways handshake
Nov 11, 2013 6:59 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
To be honest, I'm not really looking for anything here and I don't feel brave or anything because I was always led to believe that being adopted was nothing to be ashamed of or to hide under the carpet. I just feel its always better to talk about things like this, there might be someone reading this that might be thinking about looking for their natural parents, or someone who did find them and had a bad experience. I just want people to know that there is always someone who you can talk to and might even be able to help.
Nov 11, 2013 7:20 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
there4u80
there4u80there4u80County, Limerick Ireland20 Threads 2 Polls 231 Posts
My mother used tell me as a child, that if didn't behave she would have me adopted or sent off in a crate to Ethiopia, it worked, i behaved, in hindsight she was obviously joking, it must have been a constant, daily thought for you when you were growing up, wondering who your parents were?
Nov 11, 2013 7:29 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
Hahah you poor crater, whatever I guess haha. As I got older I would wonder who they were. If I saw someone who looked a bit like me I would think, Is that my mother ? My mother would tell me wonderful stories about the day they got me, I came with a note attached (quite literally, I still have it, rusty safety pin and all) classy ladies those nuns NOT.
Nov 11, 2013 7:34 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
there4u80
there4u80there4u80County, Limerick Ireland20 Threads 2 Polls 231 Posts
I can't remember the last time i saw a nun confused

They were often around town, out for a walk or whatever, they seem to have disappeared altogether, yes i'd say it must have been headwrecking stuff for you, knowing that you belong to someone but not knowing what they look like, where they are or why they left you, is it safe to say that you are now living in much happier times?
Nov 11, 2013 7:38 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
Oh God ya, I had a great childhood, sadly both my parents died in their 50's when I was in my 20's. But I was so loved, my father adored me and me him, he was a gentle giant and such a kind man. I was lucky to have that
Nov 11, 2013 7:40 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
mjpd67
mjpd67mjpd67galway, Galway Ireland181 Threads 5 Polls 6,550 Posts
there4u80: I can't remember the last time i saw a nun

They were often around town, out for a walk or whatever, they seem to have disappeared altogether, yes i'd say it must have been headwrecking stuff for you, knowing that you belong to someone but not knowing what they look like, where they are or why they left you, is it safe to say that you are now living in much happier times?
well they do call nuns, Mickey Dodgers wink
Nov 11, 2013 7:46 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
there4u80
there4u80there4u80County, Limerick Ireland20 Threads 2 Polls 231 Posts
Charolette: Oh God ya, I had a great childhood, sadly both my parents died in their 50's when I was in my 20's. But I was so loved, my father adored me and me him, he was a gentle giant and such a kind man. I was lucky to have that


Sorry to hear about their early passing, yes, at least you had good parents, you must hold the reputation of Ireland's adoption system fairly highly so i would imagine?
Nov 11, 2013 7:49 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette: I was adopted in the 70's and my parents were told a heap of lies by the nuns who ran the orphanage, .
What sort of lies?
Nov 11, 2013 7:50 PM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
there4u80
there4u80there4u80County, Limerick Ireland20 Threads 2 Polls 231 Posts
mjpd67: well they do call nuns, Mickey Dodgers


laugh well i heard on the radio, a former nun speaking, she said that a lot of nuns used be mad after the priests so i don't know about that, they used be around though before, say 20 years ago, i would often come across one or two out walking, they were fairly old though so who knows, they may have passed away, are nuns still recruiting, like priests are, however low the numbers, i wonder are they still doing that?
Nov 12, 2013 6:34 AM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
fifitheminx
fifitheminxfifitheminxDublin, Ireland35 Threads 4,039 Posts
Fair play to you wanting to help others, and after a serious adoption conversation on a different thread it is lovely to see someone maturing from adoption so well adjusted and happy,

Mad to think only 40 years ago we had a system ran by often lovely people but sometimes evil and bitter people who didnt have experience of raising children, yet felt it was their right and duty to impart their twisted version of knowledge to tell others how to live their life and what was right and wrong, no questioning.

Thankfully we left that behind and can move on towards a more open and loving society where adoption and the birth of a human isnt treated like a dirty secret for either the child or the mother to feel they are or have.

Its brave people like you speaking out that brings about this change..I think I heard you on the radio..handshake
Nov 12, 2013 9:07 AM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette
CharoletteCharoletteLimerick, Ireland4 Threads 33 Posts
Aw thanks for those lovely words fifitheminx (cool name btw). Maybe you did hear me on the radio, it was a good few years back though. I'm also amused here at some of the comments about nuns. Some of them were horrible nasty women that I believe were forced into the vocation by family members and would have been much better off pursuing a different career. Others however were truly amazing women, especially one in particular who I remember from primary school, that woman had the kindest heart and did so much good, I still see her around, cycling her bike, an angel :) They get a lot of bad press I guess, some of it deserved, but I'm long enough in the tooth to know that there are a few good ones in the mix
Nov 13, 2013 8:08 AM CST Adoption in Ireland in the 70's
Charolette: I believe were forced into the vocation by family members and would have been much better off pursuing a different career.

That's true. I said it a few times here already, but back in the day many priests and nuns in this country were told to be so in families. 1 son got the farm, the daughter was to marry some local guy, another moved to Dublin and worked in the Civil service, and every so often there was a lad or a girl in families that was a bit strange. And the safe bet for them was to join a vocation. IN reality many of them were deviants and broken people who then went on to become abusers and generally warped.
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