Uncovering the Secrets of an Irish Home for Unwed Mothers

By Lauren Frayer,

Greg Dixon

Published August 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM EDT

Amateur historian Catherine Corless spreads birth and death records across her kitchen table in Tuam, Ireland. Through a search of public records, Corless found 796 infants and children died in a nearby mother and baby home between 1925 and 1961.

Tags

NPR NPR Podcasts

Lauren Frayer

Lauren Frayer covers India for NPR News. In June 2018, she opened a new NPR bureau in India's biggest city, its financial center, and the heart of Bollywood—Mumbai.

See stories by Lauren Frayer

Greg Dixon

See stories by Greg Dixon

WRVO is at a critical moment.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.

Support WRVO now