A Mother's Lifelong Wait for Her Lost Child

Chrissie Tully's poignant journey spans 76 years of loss and longing for her son, a reflection of the societal norms in mid-20th century Ireland that shaped the lives of countless women like her.

At the end of a quiet street in Loughrea, County Galway, resides a modest white stone house adorned with lace curtains and the cherished figure of the Virgin Mary. In this home lives a frail 93-year-old woman named Chrissie Tully, accompanied only by her loyal dog Rex. Each day, she fills the hours performing small tasks—praying the rosary, hanging laundry to dry, and caring for her pet—while holding on to the hope that her long-lost son may one day return.

Chrissie’s story began 76 years ago when, as a young teenager, she found herself pregnant after falling in love with a local boy. What followed was a familiar tale of heartbreak and rejection, typical of mid-century Ireland, where the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church dictated the lives of unwed mothers. Shunned by her family and community, Chrissie was taken to St. Mary’s Mother and Baby Home, a place designed to house women like her, just 30 miles from her hometown of Loughrea.

These homes have since become symbols of a darker chapter in Irish history, where many mothers and their children faced stigma, shame, and neglect. Numerous investigations have criticized these institutions for their treatment of vulnerable women, while calls for an official apology and reparations from the Irish government continue to resonate among those affected.

For Chrissie Tully, however, the pain has lingered for decades as she continues to wait for a reunion with the son she never got to embrace. In a world that once shunned her, her unwavering hope stands testament to her enduring love and resilience—a realization that transcends time and societal judgment.