An exhibition celebrating the contribution of community midwives in early 20th century Ireland has opened at the Museum of Country Life in Co Mayo.
The programme also showcases the valuable work of volunteers around the country in documenting their local history.
Heritage groups from across Ireland have come together to honour the midwives and nurses throughout Irish history who dedicated their lives to protecting new mothers and their children.
The exhibition has been described as "a celebration of heritage, caregiving, and the quiet but transformative power of midwives".
It centres around Mary Anne Fanning, who worked as a district midwife and nurse over the course of a 48-year career in counties Kerry and Dublin.
Items on display include her 124-year-old leather midwifery bag, which she used to provide medical aid during the 1916 Rising.
As well as her medical instruments, pulse and temperature charts, there's a christening gown owned by Ms Fanning, first used for her baby in 1902 and later lent to families in need.
This gown is still used by members of her family today.
The exhibition came about as a result of a project by the Irish Community Archive Network (iCan).
It was researched and curated by Emma Laffey, who is a health care assistant at the maternity unit in Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and a volunteer at the Skehana & District Heritage group in the county.
The mother of six began researching the history of community midwifery while exploring her family history.
Ms Laffey found out that her great grandmother had died at 41 from 'maternal exhaustion'.
She went on to chart the history of the community midwife and published 'An Bhean Ghlúine', an award-winning book funded by the Heritage Council and the inspiration for this exhibition.
"Through my work as a healthcare assistant, I was always very interested in a time when women only birthed their babies at home.
"It was a time that carried immense risks and vulnerabilities for both the mother and the child.
"Understanding the women who guided mothers through that time was so fascinating to me, even more so when I discovered that my own great-grandmother died from maternal exhaustion.
"These women overcame so many barriers to get educated and work for themselves.
"They were pillars of the community, and I am delighted they are being given the recognition they deserve."
The exhibition seeks to highlight and celebrate the often-unsung contributions of community midwives to maternity care in Ireland in the early 20th century.
Ms Fanning was a familiar and welcome figure in her district, travelling with her midwifery bag in the basket on her bicycle, in all sorts of weather.
She could be away from her family for days and nights at a time.
She was a forward thinking and independent woman by all accounts, and later in her career, she had a Model Ford T motor car to aid her in her work.
Such was the importance placed on her community work, that the issue of her petrol permit was raised in the Dáil during World War II, and received a response from the then Minister of Supplies Seán Lemass.
Documents detailing this exchange also feature in the exhibition.
A video includes memories from her grandchildren with a short cinefilm clip, plus an oil painting by her great-great-granddaughter, and poetry in her memory.
Audio recordings delve into the life of a rural midwife, modern midwifery, and birthing customs, with insights from Kathleen Ward, a 93-year-old member of the Travelling community.
Interactive element
Visitors can also engage with audio recordings, touchscreen stories, and personal reflections from midwives and their families.
The exhibition invites the public to contribute their own memories through a Midwives’ Memory Book, encouraging a collective reflection on the role of midwifery in Irish communities.
"This exhibition is a tribute to the extraordinary work of community midwives, whose dedication and care helped shape the lives of countless families across Ireland," Director of the National Museum of Ireland Lynn Scarff said.
"Through this exhibition, we not only honour the legacy of its subjects, but we also celebrate the dedication of volunteers and heritage groups who continue to preserve and share these remarkable stories in digital archives.
"It is a powerful reminder of the value of community history in understanding our shared past".
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council Virginia Teehan explained that it was Ms Laffey’s book that inspired this exhibition.
"The book and this exhibition remind us of the importance of local midwifes in providing culturally sensitive, community-based care, addressing unique challenges such as geographic isolation, limited access to medical facilities, and the need for personalised care.
"Acknowledging these heroines recognises their self-sufficiency and preserves traditional healthcare knowledge within localities.
"Our continued support of iCAN gives voice to local communities and I am thrilled to see it grow from strength to strength and expand across the country".
Development Officer Lorna Elms at iCAN paid tribute to the organisation’s volunteers, who are equipped with training to build digital archives for their communities.
"The work these volunteers do is invaluable, preserving local history and heritage in a way that connects generations and fosters a shared pride in their community.
"In a way, this exhibition is culmination of what communities can do when they are empowered to document their own history.
"I am thrilled to see some of that knowledge given the status of an exhibition at our National Museum."
Pacelli Linscheid, granddaughter of Ms Fanning, said; "I am so incredibly proud to see the legacy of my grandmother honoured in this way.
"Her dedication to the community and to helping families in their most vulnerable moments is something that has inspired generations of our family".
