Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — N Ireland

Although the term 'Magdalen' home or institution has become particularly associated with Ireland's Magdalen laundries, it covers to a much wider range of establishments. Rather than indicating the nature of these institutions' facilities or regime, it reflects the circumstances of their inmates — girls and young women who had 'fallen' (or who were considered in danger of doing so), primarily those who had become pregnant or involved in prostitution. More...

Where applicable, the 'Places' column shows the accommodation provided for mothers and babies (exact figures could change over time).
Note that over the years, many institutions changed location and/or name, sometimes more than once. The accommodation provided, age of those admitted etc. at a home could also vary.

Co. Antrim

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Ulster Female Penitentiary, 14 Brunswick Street, Belfastby 1884 Penitent victims of seduction. No proper applicant refused (expected to remain two years).3015-20
Edgar Home, 14 Brunswick Street, Belfastby 1897 Fallen women. Remain two years. Free.6015-20
Belfast Midnight Mission Maternity Home, 25-27 (later 29) Malone Place, Belfast1902 First maternity cases only received. 5s.12 
Belfast Midnight Mission, 29-31 Malone Place, Belfast1864 Fallen women. A temporary refuge from which they are drafted to Homes. Free.20no limit
House of Mercy, 37 Crumlin Road, Belfast1890    
St Mary's, 511 Ormeau Road, Belfast   22 
Salvation Army Home for Girls, 63 Great George Street, Belfastby 1890 Free.  
Ulster Magdalene Asylum, Donegall Pass, Belfast1849 Penitent fallen women. Remain two years. Free.30under 25
Jackson Hall Home, Newtownards Road, Ballymacarret, Belfast1849 Free. Free.30under 25
Salvation Army Refuge, Thorndale, Duncairn Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast1905 Girls and women in distress.27no limit
Salvation Army Home, Thorndale, Duncairn Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast1905 Unmarried mothers and their babies. Free.33m/24 babiesno limit
Salvation Army Night Shelter, Thorndale, Duncairn Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast1923 Homeless women.30no limit
Salvation Army Home, Wellington Park House, Malone Road, Belfast1905 Girls and women in distress.  
Salvation Army Home, Wellington Park House, Malone Road, Belfast1905 Girls and women in distress. Free.33no limit
Edgar Home, Whitehall, Sunnyside Road, Ormeau Road, Belfastby 1912 Fallen women. Remain two years. Free.6015-20

Co. Down

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Good Shepherd Home, 132 Armagh Road, Newry   15 

Co. Londonderry

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Londonderry and North-West Ulster Female Penitentiary, 24 Hawkin Street, Londonderry1829 Fallen women.22no limit