Birth History Service

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 [...]
21 Oct

Free Online Webinar on the Irish Government Action Plan for survivors of Ireland’s institutions

October 21, 2025    
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Ireland’s institutions had a profound, lifelong effect on those who lived in them. The Irish government has enacted an Action Plan that attempts to address [...]
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 [...]
17 Nov

Dublin - In Person Support Group for Individuals impacted by Illegal Birth Registration,

November 17, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
€0.00
Barnardos Birth History Service are hosting a confidential, in person support group for individuals who have been impacted by illegal birth registration. The purpose of [...]
17 Nov

Online, Once-off Support Group for Adopted Adults – November

November 17, 2025    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Barnardos Birth History Service will be holding a support group for Adopted Adults online. The purpose of the course is to provide a space for [...]
26 Nov

Sligo - Danu Once Off Birth Mothers Support Group

November 26, 2025    
2:30 pm - 4:30 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 [...]
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