Stolen: Film screening and Q&A

Stolen (1hr47, 2023, Dir. Margo Harkin) tells the story of the Mother and Baby and County Care Homes in Ireland. This special screening has been organised as a commemorative event by Renewing Roots, with funding from the Government of Ireland’s Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Commemorative Grant Scheme.

Between 1922-1998 over 80,000 unmarried mothers were incarcerated in Irish-Catholic-run institutions. Many were separated from their babies after birth, who — having been adopted out — were untraceable and unaware of their birth story. More children were hired out by the institutions as cheap labour, whilst 9,000 infants are known to have died in the system during those years. In Stolen survivors document their treatment.

Visitors will be greeted by Fréa and Festival team members, before a screening of the film. Afterwards, there will be an interview with the film’s director — Margo Harkin — before a short Q&A with panellists Martha O’Neill (Stolen’s producer), Patricia Carey (Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse) and the audience.

Known for her deeply personal documentaries, and writing on sensitive and controversial topics, Margo became well known in the 1980s for Hush-a-Bye Baby, The Hunger Strike and Mother Ireland.

“In this moving, wholly authoritative work Margo Harkin has produced a definitive account of this shameful history”, Sunniva O’Flynn.

Stolen

Released in 2023, Stolen explores Ireland’s institutional scandal in which the treatment of unmarried women, who became pregnant in 20th century Ireland, sparked global outrage. A government inquiry unearthed shocking accounts of cruelty and abuse, including forced separations and adoptions, inhumane living conditions, children used as cheap labour and infant mortality rates up to five-times the national average. In Stolen survivors - including mothers and witnesses - speak out.

Stolen received a nomination, from the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA), for the 2024 George Morrison Feature Documentary Award. Recently, The Irish Times awarded Margo’s titles Hush-A-Bye Baby and Waveriders, places within Top 50 Irish Films Ever list.

Renewing Roots

Part of Fréa, a partnership of Irish charities, Renewing Roots offers free, confidential support for former residents of Ireland’s institutions now living in the north of England. This event is organised by the Renewing Roots programme, in partnership with Liverpool Irish Festival. This screening is a commemorative event to honour former residents of Ireland’s Mother and Baby and County Care Homes, who have passed, and to celebrate and honour the strength of those still with us.

For more information visit: frea.org.uk Registered Charity: 1197939

Host or Publisher Liverpool Irish Festival