Liam Neeson became a film producer for the first time after reading a 2017 New York Times article about the Tuam mother and baby institution in County Galway. The article detailed the work of Catherine Corless, a local historian who uncovered evidence of widespread abuse and neglect by Irish nuns that resulted in hundreds of children being buried in a mass, unmarked grave. Moved by the story and his own Irish Catholic background, Neeson optioned the article, met with Corless, and assembled a team to adapt it for film.
The resulting feature, ‘The Lost Children of Tuam,’ began its theatrical release in Ireland this week, with a UK release scheduled for next month. The film is based on reporting by New York Times journalist Dan Barry and was written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and directed by Frank Berry. Monica Dolan stars as Corless, with Andrew Bennett playing her husband Aidan. Early critical reception has been positive, with reviewers noting the film’s sensitivity and emotional impact.
The movie’s release coincides with ongoing excavation of a 5,000-square-meter site at the former St. Mary’s home, where the Bon Secours religious order is believed to have buried 796 infants who died between 1925 and 1961. An international team of forensic archaeologists has recovered skeletal remains of 99 babies and children since beginning work last year. The excavation resulted from Corless’s historical research, a judicial commission investigation, and a commitment by the Irish state to pursue accountability for survivors and deceased victims’ relatives.
Corless, a former textile factory secretary with an amateur interest in local history, began researching the site for a historical essay. Despite facing resistance from officials and the Bon Secours order, she documented that 796 children died at the institution without burial records before it closed in 1961. Her investigation has become part of a broader examination of mistreatment in Irish state and religious institutions. Corless has attended multiple viewings of the film, including the Galway Film Fleadh in July, where it won the award for best Irish film.
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