Memories and stories from community midwives in Laois

THE National Museum of Ireland is undertaking a project on community midwives in the 19th and 20th century and are inviting people from Laois to submit their stories and memories on the subject.

The lives and contributions of a number of nurses and midwives have already been incorporated into an ongoing exhibition and events programme exploring the history of rural midwifery at the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park, Castlebar.

The Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) Development Officer with the National Museum of Ireland Lorna Elms said: “We’d like to hear from more people in Laois and across Ireland to further expand on this community-led historical research into midwifery.

“Community midwives provided a vital network of healthcare provision for women in rural Ireland - sustaining the lives of mothers and babies during birth – often in very challenging conditions. The exhibition and archive project acknowledges and celebrates their contributions.” 

 The midwifery project is delivered by the iCAN – an initiative by the National Museum of Ireland, the Heritage Council and participating local authority Heritage Officers across Ireland.

A number of local historians and community researchers will present talks on their research so far at a special ICAN event at the National Museum in Turlough Park to celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March.

Clandestine revolutionary activities; an island midwife in the 1930s; and a Jubilee nurse on Queen Mary’s Christmas card list are just some of the stories that will be shared.

This is a free event but booking is required. For further details phone 094 90 31751, email BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or log on to vwww.museum.ie 

You can also visit the exhibition at the National Museum in Turlough Park or log on to ouririshheritage.org to contribute your own stories or memories of midwives in your area.