The publication of the report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes in January 2021 produced a storm of controversy, distress and anger among survivors who discovered that their testimony had been woefully treated and disregarded in the report’s conclusions. A loose coalition of survivors, advocates, lawyers, journalists and writers have succeeded in drawing public attention to the report’s deficiencies. Some of them will be at First Thought to discuss them. They are Noelle Brown, survivor and activist, Maeve O’Rourke, lawyer and co–founder of the Clann Project, Conall O’Fatharta, journalist with the Irish Examiner, and Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame. Catriona Crowe will moderate.
These talks were recorded and available to watch on this page and on Galway International Arts Festival's YouTube channe. All First Thought Talks will be available to listen to on GIAF's First Thought podcast later this year.
