Renewing Roots

28/05/2026

We were absolutely delighted to bring the Fréa Renewing Roots Oral History Project to Dublin at the

The overwhelming response to this event, with tickets being snapped up almost immediately, shows just how important these conversations and stories continue to be. It reflects the growing desire to listen to, learn from and honour the experiences of survivors and members of the Irish diaspora.

Thank you to everybody who registered to attend and to all those continuing to support the preservation of these powerful oral histories ❤️

27/05/2026

Crann Silí group members and best friends, Marie and Kathy, talk about the difference the Fréa Renewing Roots team has made to their lives and how they have made them feel proud ❤️

For more information about our Crann Silí group and how Fréa Renewing Roots can support you, get in touch today:

https://frea.org.uk/contact-renewing-roots

26/05/2026

An exhibition featuring work from survivors of Mother and Baby institutions in the North of Ireland is currently on display at the Guildhall in Derry.
BBC Radio Foyle recently interviewed contributors Maria Arbuckle and Attracta McGuigan to hear more about the exhibition, their personal experiences, and why sharing these stories matters. The interview begins at 42 minutes.
Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wt04
The exhibition runs until 27th May.

22/05/2026

Birth information tracing can be an important step for survivors of Ireland’s institutions and for those who were illegally adopted.

Free and confidential help and advice is available across Britain through the Fréa partnership and its trusted partners.

📍 Fréa Renewing Roots
📞 Patrick Rodgers: 07432 138 682

📍 London Irish Centre
📞 Sean: 0800 519 5519
🕙 Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm

📍 Coventry Irish Society
📞 Manisha: 02476 256629

If you are looking for information about your birth history or family connections, support is available.

21/05/2026

Honoured to be invited to the Leeds Irish Centre for President Catherine Connolly’s final engagement on her UK visit 🪉

President Catherine Connolly’s final engagement of her UK visit 🇮🇪

It was a proud moment to represent the Irish diaspora here in the North of England and to stand alongside representatives from all three of Fréa’s founding Irish charities in the North of England Irish Community Care Leeds Irish Health and Homes Irish Community Care Manchester united through partnership, community and shared commitment to supporting our Irish communities.

Thank you to the Leeds Irish Centre for the warm welcome
and to President Connolly for taking the time to connect with Irish organisations and communities across the North. Moments like these remind us of the strength, resilience and importance of our diaspora voices and connections.

IrishInBritain

20/05/2026

Birth tracing is an important step for survivors of Ireland’s institutions and for people who were illegally adopted.

The Birth Information and Tracing Act gives eligible individuals the right to access:

• their birth certificate
• birth and early life information
• records relating to adoption or boarding out
• information where an illegal birth registration occurred

The information available will vary from case to case.

You can apply for records through the Adoption Authority of Ireland or Tusla.

Free, confidential help and advice is available in Britain from Fréa Renewing Roots.

📞 Patrick Rodgers: 07432 138 682

14/05/2026

13/05/2026

“Our beautiful babies, not dirty laundry.”

Each tiny baby grow in Rendition carries words that stop you in your tracks.

These messages speak of love, loss, separation and the enduring pain of children who were too often reduced to labels rather than recognised for what they were and always will be: precious, wanted and deeply loved.

Part of Fréa Renewing Roots’ exhibition at Rendition by Fiona Cahill creates space for reflection, remembrance and truth telling. Through art, oral history and survivor testimony, the exhibition honours those whose stories must never be forgotten.

These baby grows are small in size, but immense in meaning.

RememberingTogether

11/05/2026

We’ve been overwhelmed by the heartfelt feedback received from visitors to Rendition by artist presented in partnership with Fréa Renewing Roots at

Through powerful imagery, oral histories and immersive installation, Rendition has created a space for reflection, learning and conversation around the experiences of women and children affected by Mother and Baby Institutions and County Homes.

These comments are just a small selection of the many thoughtful responses shared by those who visited the exhibition.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage with the work, reflect on the stories and leave such meaningful feedback. Your responses show the importance of creating spaces where hidden histories can be acknowledged, understood and remembered.

📸 Photography By Natalie Kolowiecki

02/05/2026

Last few days to experience Rendition a powerful and deeply moving exhibition by artist Fiona Cahill , rooted in her family’s lived experience of mother and baby homes.

Presented in collaboration with Fréa Renewing Roots at this exhibition invites reflection, understanding and conversation around a history that continues to shape lives today.

On until 3rd May don’t miss the chance to see it.

30/04/2026

Listening is powerful. Being heard is even more so 💚

As part of Rendition -Art exhibition we spoke with Dr Brigid Power, who leads the Fréa Renewing Roots Oral History Project, about the profound impact of hearing lived experiences directly from former residents, in their own words.

Throughout the exhibition, you can scan QR codes to listen to snippets of these personal testimonies, bringing history out of the archives and into the present. These voices are not just stories, they are vital records of truth, resilience and memory.

You can also explore the interviews on the Fréa Renewing Roots YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/?si=y4KAG4h_qmefewLE
Or access the full collection through the University of Liverpool’s archives.

This is an opportunity to listen, reflect and better understand a history that must never be forgotten.