Join artist Katie Drago and genealogist Daniel Loftus in conversation on how the arts, research and collective action help us to remember the past as part of Cork Lifelong Learning Festival. During this event, Katie and Daniel will discuss the challenges they each face in their practices, which work to unearth the hidden and neglected histories of Ireland’s mother- and-baby institutions. This conversation comes at a crucial moment, as planning permission has been granted to pave over the grounds of the former Bessborough mother-and-baby institution for the construction of 140 apartments.

The event is free, but booking is advised as spaces are limited. Cork Public Museum is wheelchair accessible with on-street parking only. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite here:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/no-stone-left-unturned-art-in-conversation-tickets-1982670102649?aff=oddtdtcreator

Biographies:

Katie Drago is a visual artist and researcher from Cork. Her work addresses the neglected history of a forgotten mother-and-baby institution in the town she grew up in – Fermoy. Katie’s practice is centred on challenging the gaps in archives and forging space for the women and children who have been written out of them. She uses photography, sculpture, installation and textiles to create a space of encounter for viewers to consider this history – one that has been sitting, unacknowledged, on the doorsteps of countless communities, waiting for us to let it in.
 

Daniel Loftus is a college student and genealogist based in Cork. He specialises in Irish genealogy research & research into mother-and-baby homes in Ireland. The findings, compiled by himself and his volunteers, are published on his website Project Infant.

Project Infant is a searchable database dedicated to recording the names of those who died in Mother and Baby Institutions, Industrial Schools and Magdalene Laundries around Ireland to ensure their names are not lost & ensure the numerous institutions around Ireland are documented.