Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — Republic of 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. Clare

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Brigid's Home Laundry, Cook's Lane, Ennis     

Co. Cork

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Vincent's Magdalen Asylum, Peacock Lane (now North Monastery Road), Cork1809    
Cork City and County Refuge, Sawmill Street, South Terrace, Cork1825 Penitent young women of the poor class. Remain two years. Free.2618-30
St Mary's Magdalen Asylum, Sunday's Well, Cork1870    

Co. Dublin

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's Refuge, 104 Lower Gloucester (now Sean McDermott) Street, Dublin1887 Fallen women. Length of time in the Home according to circumstances. Free.80no limit
Rescue Mission Home, 3 Cowley Place, North Circular Road, Dublin1875 For the reformation of a better class, socially, of young women than those in other homes. Free. 20 
Dublin Midnight Mission, 30-31 Marlborough Street, Dublin1862 Fallen women. Free.30under 30
Dublin Rescue Home, 33 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin1875 Fallen women; maternity cases before confinement. Free.15no limit
Dublin Asylum for Penitent Females, 54 (later 35) Upper Baggot Street, Dublin1835 From all parts of the kingdom. Remain two years. Free. All denominations.36Young
Dublin Magdalen Asylum, 8 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin17651959Respectable class on first fall; free; maternity cases before and after first confinement; remain two years. Protestants only.20under 20
Dublin Magdalen Asylum / Denny House, 83 Eglinton Road, Dublin19591994Unmarried mothers and their babies.7m/7b 
Dublin by Lamplight, Ball's Bridge Terrace, Dublin1855 Fallen women. Free.70under 30
Dublin Female Penitentiary, Berkeley Place, North Circular Road, Dublin1812 Fallen women. Free.33no limit
St Mary Magdalen's, Donnybrook Road, Dublin1798 Fallen women. Free.100no limit
St Mary's Refuge, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublinc.1859 Fallen women. Prison cases received. Free.210no limit
St Patrick's Refuge, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire     
Kingstown Rescue Home, 2 Northcote Avenue, Kingstown1862 Fallen women. Free.1520-30

Co. Galway

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Galway Magdalen Asylum/Home, 47 Forster Street (now College Road), Galway     

Co. Kerry

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Magdalen Home, Pembroke Street, Balloonagh, Tralee     
Magdalen Asylum, Devonshire (now O'Brien's) Place, Youghal1844    

Co. Limerick

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's Magdalen Asylum, St Mary's, Clare Street /Pennywell Road, Limerick1848 Fallen women. Free.120over 14

Co. Waterford

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's Magdalen Asylum, College Street, Waterford     

Co. Wexford

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's, Irishtown, New Ross