Birth History Service

Barnardos has provided a service to adopted people, birth families and adoptive families since 1977.

This service has been extended to include therapeutic support services to adults who were subject of an illegal birth registration and to individuals who were boarded out, fostered or nursed out as children in Ireland pre-1991.

We offer a free, confidential and professional service for,

  • Individual support and advice 
  • Group support
  • A confidential helpline

We offer free Individual therapeutic sessions for,

  • Birth Mothers
  • Birth Fathers
  • Adopted Adults
  • Individuals subject of an illegal birth registration
  • Individuals who were ‘boarded out’ , ‘nursed out’ or fostered prior to the 1991 Child Care Act

If you require support for adopted children, adoptive parents and young adopted adults up to the age of 23 our Children’s Post Adoption Service has more information

Self referrals can be made to the service through email or posting to any of our centres.

What does the Birth History Service do for me?

One to one therapeutic support for adopted adults, birth mothers, birth fathers, individuals subject of an illegal birth registration and adults who have been boarded out as children

Group support for adopted adults, birth mothers and individuals subject of an illegal birth registration

A practical community based service for adults who have been boarded out as children

Services are offered both nationally and internationally, with online and phone contact options available for individuals accessing the service living away from our centres.

Where are Barnardos Birth History Services located?

We also offer a national confidential and professionally staffed helpline running Tuesday and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm on (01) 454 6388 

You can contact the Birth History Service by email at [email protected] or by calling any of our centres at these numbers

DUBLIN: 4 Christchurch Square, Dublin 8 D08 DT63 and 23/24 Buckingham Street Lower, Dublin 1, Tel: (01) 813 4100
CORK: Blackmore House, Meade Street, Cork, Tel (021) 203 8005
GALWAY: The Sanctuary, 27 Chois Chlair, Claregalway, Tel: (091) 454489

Podcast: Growing Stronger Together

A publication and audio documentary from Barnardos group support service for women whose children were adopted: Personal experiences over three decades, 1990 – 2020

01 Sep

Cork -Once-off Support Group for Adopted Adults

September 1, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service will be holding a support group for Adopted Adults in Cork. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe [...]
08 Sep

Dublin - Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group September

September 8, 2025    
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce a support group for birth mothers. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space [...]
09 Sep

Sligo - Danu Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group

September 9, 2025    
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce a support group for birth mothers. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space [...]
18 Sep

Online, Support Group for Individuals subject of an Illegal Birth Registration

September 18, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos plan to host a confidential, online support group for individuals who have been subject of an illegal birth registration. The purpose of the group [...]
30 Sep

Galway- Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group

September 30, 2025    
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce a support group for birth mothers. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space [...]
07 Oct

Galway - Once-Off Support Group for Adopted Adults

October 7, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service will be holding a confidential support group for Adopted Adults. The purpose of the course is to provide a safe space [...]
13 Oct

Cork - Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group October

October 13, 2025    
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce a support group held in Cork for birth mothers. The purpose of the group is to provide [...]
13 Oct

Dublin - Once-off In person Support Group for Adopted Adults

October 13, 2025    
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service will be holding a confidential, support group for adopted adults. The purpose of the one off group is to provide a [...]
20 Oct

Online Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group

October 20, 2025    
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce a support group for birth mothers. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space [...]
11 Nov

Dublin - Birth Mothers Support Group

November 11, 2025    
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are pleased to announce an in-person support group for birth mothers. The purpose of the once off group is to provide [...]
Skip to content