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Remarkable story of re-united siblings who were abandoned in Louth phone boxes as babies told in new RTE documentary
Remarkable story of re-united siblings who were abandoned in Louth phone boxes as babies told in new RTE documentary

Irish Independent

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Irish Independent

Remarkable story of re-united siblings who were abandoned in Louth phone boxes as babies told in new RTE documentary

The new documentary traces the lives of the babies who were adopted by families in different parts of the country and later discovered that they were in fact full siblings. John Dowling was just a few days old when he was found in May 1965 by Drogheda journalist Paul Murphy and his friend Pat Bailey, both members of Blessed Oliver Plunkett Drama Group, at Laurence Street on their way home from a John B Keane play rehearsal. He was cared for in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital before being given up for adoption. The former Drogheda Independent editor is one of the people interviewed in this new documentary. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered by lorry driver Donal Boyle on the floor of a phonebox on the Dublin Road, near Ladywell Terrace, on Dundalk's Dublin Road. He alerted the gardai and she was brought by Sergeant Michael Connolly to the nearby Louth County Hospital where she was cared for before being moved to St Clare's Nursing Home in Stamullen, Co Meath. From there she was adopted, aged 13 months, by the Ward family in Dublin, where she had a happy childhood. On what she believed was her 44th birthday, she called Joe Duffy's Liveline to share her story in the hope of finding out more about her background. Her story, and that of a third baby, David McBride, who was left in a car belonging to a doctor's wife in a Belfast driveway in 1962, were featured on a special edition of ITV documentary Long Lost Family in 2020 when thanks to DNA technology, it was revealed that David and Helen are full siblings To their shock and joy, they subsequently found John, a third full sibling. They believe there is a fourth sibling out there and are hoping this documentary will encourage that person to get in touch. This new documentary uncovers details about the babies' parents, where they came from, and why they were given up. Fifty years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. United in their desire to uncover more of the truth about their family and the circumstances surrounding their parents' decision to abandon them, the documentary follows the siblings as they uncover untold stories that reflect the Ireland of the past. Their mother was a young Catholic woman from the Republic of Ireland who, in the 1940s, began a affair with a married Protestant man from Northern Ireland, who was 17 years her senior and had 14 children of his own. This affair endured for decades and, in that time, David, John, and Helen were born – and given up. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking about the documentary, Helen Ward said: "This documentary has opened up the lines of communication about our biological parents, with people willing to share their stories. I hope the documentary fosters understanding and empathy, especially about what it's like to have to question your roots. I hope it encourages people to be open and receptive to helping others with similar experiences. The longing for connection with family is valid and deeply human." With both biological parents now deceased, the siblings confront painful truths about their parents' complex relationship and the impact of this abandonment on their own lives. They face a challenging journey in their quest for answers, but with the support of newly discovered half-siblings and family friends (including snooker legend Ken Doherty), they remain determined to unearth the buried secrets of their family's past, in the hope that it will bring them closer together. The Phone Box Babies will air Wednesday July 2 at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Tributes paid to legend of Drogheda printing industry Michael McDonnell
Tributes paid to legend of Drogheda printing industry Michael McDonnell

Irish Independent

time6 days ago

  • General
  • Irish Independent

Tributes paid to legend of Drogheda printing industry Michael McDonnell

Michael 'Red Mac' McDonnell as he affectionately known had unique skills as he was trained as both bookbinder and a printer. He was born and grew up in the Dale, right in the middle of town and only a stone's throw from St Mary's Church. He began his career in the printing industry at 15 years of age first with the Drogheda Printers in Bolton Street where he served his apprenticeship, then the Trinity Press before joining the Drogheda Independent and was a popular figure among the staff with his pleasant and helpful personality. Michael was renowned for his hard working ethic but also his wonderful sense of humour and he loved nothing more than a laugh and a joke, doing the job he loved. In 1992 he and his wife Noreen decided it was time to go it alone and he set up his own small printing works in Fair Street which became hugely successful. He later set up a small printing workshop at the back of his home in Cherrybrook Drive and he happily worked away week in, week out, never letting a customer down, right up until he took ill in early April. He met Noreen, a member of the Matthew family from Marian Park when they were in their late teens. They went on their first date for a drink in the Gwent bar in West Street, and had been together ever since. The couple would have been 50 years married in August and had three wonderful children together, Jeannette, Linda and Richard who they adored. Apart from his family and printing, Michael's other big passion in life was supporting Tottenham Hotspurs. He was thrilled to see them win the Europa League, their first European trophy in 40 years. His family recorded the game and got to show it to him as he lay in his hospital bed. Hundreds of people attended his funeral mass at St Mary's Church and burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. A large number of tributes were paid to him on the RIP website. Michael and Maria Campbell wrote: "I always enjoyed a chat with Michael reminiscing on the past, you could always guarantee to come away happy and smiling. We will always remember him as one of nature's loveliest people. You will be greatly missed Isobel and Gene McKenna said: "Sincere sympathy to the McDonnell family on the passing of Michael. A true gentleman, Michael was a great colleague in Drogheda Printers over the years. May he rest in peace." Frankie Mulryne said: "Sincere condolences to Noreen, Jeanette, Linda and Richard and the McDonnell family on the passing of Michael, a great character and true friend who will be remembered with great fondness as the Red Mac. May he rest in Peace."

Jubilant Ace AC pair medal at All-Ireland Schools finals
Jubilant Ace AC pair medal at All-Ireland Schools finals

Irish Independent

time03-06-2025

  • General
  • Irish Independent

Jubilant Ace AC pair medal at All-Ireland Schools finals

Drogheda Independent Today at 06:30 It's been another strong week for athletes from Ace AC, with members delivering solid performances at both national and provincial events as well as at the BMC in UK. At the National Schools Championships, two Ace AC athletes earned bronze national medals while representing their schools. Firstly Eimear Cooney, competing for Sacred Heart Drogheda, took bronze in the Senior Girls 1500m with another fine display. Eimear completed the distance just one second behind the second-place athleted with a time of 4:36.79. Shea O'Donnell is one of the club's most consistent performers and he rarely fails to deliver results at the highest level. He was running for St Mary's DS Drogheda and also earned national bronze in the Senior Boys 1500m with a time of 4:02.23. Both Eimear and Shea will be strong favourites for national club medals later in the season. While these were schools results, both athletes train with Ace AC and continue to impress at national level. There was further success at the weekend, this time in the younger age groups at the Leinster Championships, where Caoimhe Carolan joined an illustrious group of female Ace AC athletes who have won provincial medals, claiming second place in the U13 Girls 600m. The Tullyallen-based athlete came through her heats with a strong time of 1:50 and secured the vital silver medal with a 1:44 personal best in the final. U17 athlete Chloe Cooney travelled to Loughborough in the UK on Saturday to compete in a BMC meeting and continued her strong return from injury, recording a season's best time of 2:16 in the 800m. Chloe has improved her time in each of her last three races and is clearly moving in the right direction. Elsewhere, out on the road, Danny Nugent won the Monasterboice 4-Mile Race, putting in a solid performance over the distance. Also competing in the same event were U8 Finn Murphy and U9 Millie Roche who both raced well and successfully completed the distance despite their young ages.

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