The story of Tuam is one that has stayed with Ireland for generations. Now, a new film is bringing the story of the women and children connected to the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home to the big screen.

The Lost Children of Tuam, directed by Frank Berry, explores the work of historian and researcher Catherine Corless, whose research helped bring international attention to the story of the children who died at the Tuam home.

The Dublin premiere brought together those at the heart of the film, including Catherine Corless, director Frank Berry, Monica Dolan, who portrays Catherine, Andrew Bennett and producer Liam Neeson.

It is a difficult story to revisit, but one the filmmakers hope audiences will engage with, remember and, most importantly, never forget.

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Monica Dolan

Monica Dolan takes on the role of Catherine Corless, bringing the historian and researcher’s determination to the screen.

On the red carpet, I asked Monica how she celebrates the joy alongside the heartbreak of a film dealing with such a painful chapter in Ireland’s history.

“Thank you so much for that question. The joy is seeing Catherine’s story come to light, and I think one aspect of it is that Catherine is relieved to get the story out there. I don’t know whether to feel joy yet, but I’m daunted and excited, and having the premiere here in Dublin tonight is where it’s going to travel into the world.”

Her answer captures the complicated emotions surrounding the film — the excitement of finally bringing Catherine’s story to a wider audience, alongside the weight of the history behind it.

Andrew Bennett

Andrew Bennett, who plays Aidan Corless, was also on the red carpet for the Dublin premiere.

I asked Andrew how he had coped with the emotional weight of the film and the difficult story at its heart.

“My character, I feel, I didn’t play an overly emotional part. My character is the support to the Catherine character. She was doing all of the emotional lifting. I had an easy enough time with my character.”

It offers an insight into Aidan’s role within the story, providing support to Catherine as she carries much of the emotional weight of the film.

Liam Neeson, Catherine Corless and Family

Liam Neeson, Catherine Corless and members of Catherine’s family also walked the red carpet to celebrate the release of the film.

The emotion was clear as they stood together, with the weight of the story and its impact on their lives visible in their faces.

Neeson, who is a producer on the film, has previously spoken about the immediate impact the story had on him. He said it was the only film, among more than 90 films he has worked on, where he immediately felt that he needed to be involved — to help share these stories and help get the film made.

A story that still matters

The Lost Children of Tuam asks audiences to look again at a chapter of Irish history that cannot simply be left in the past.

For the families connected to Tuam, and for the children whose stories have taken decades to be heard, keeping those stories in the spotlight remains important.

The Lost Children of Tuam arrives in Irish cinemas on 25 September.