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Voices of Courage – Stories that Break Silence
This section on the website contains information about the podcast series developed by the Special Advocate for Survivors.
About
Voices of Courage – a podcast initiative by the Special Advocate for Survivors
The Voices of Courage podcast is an initiative of the Special Advocate for Survivors.
The podcast hears from Survivors speaking about their history, their stories, the events that shaped their lives as well as their hopes for the future.
The goal of this series is to further amplify the voices of Survivors.
We hope it will provide another platform for Survivors to share their own lived experiences, to highlight the issues which are important to them, and to bring further attention to Ireland’s legacy of institutional abuse and forced family separation.
Series 1 (2025/2026)
Series 1 of the Podcast was recorded in late 2025 and published in March 2026.
The first series of the podcast comprises of 4 episodes. Each episode features a conversation with a Survivor telling their story, sharing their experiences and their hopes for the future.
The first series of the podcast comprises of 4 episodes. Each episode features a conversation with a Survivor telling their story, sharing their experiences and their hopes for the future.
Our thanks to our incredible guests for sharing their stories with us.
- Episode 1 – Anne’s Voice
- Episode 2 – James’ Voice
- Episode 3 – Jude’s Voice
- Episode 4 – Katie’s Voice
We also thank Aileen O’Meara our producer, and Tinpot Studios for their support in recording this series.
Listen to the Series One trailer here
How to Listen
You can listen to the Voices of Courage Podcast whereever you listen to your podcasts.
We have included some links below.
SPREAKER: Voices of Courage
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qtnkkI9TtMaDvy0X65d0V
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-courage/id1880667583
AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d01c866-ea24-44cb-8843-85cca818bdef
DEEZER: https://www.deezer.com/show/1002714881
PODCAST ADDICT: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/voices-of-courage/6814049
PODCHASER: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/voices-of-courage-6395527
Episode 1 – Anne’s Voice
“Somebody took care of us.
Somebody fed us.
Somebody must have weighed us.
But absolutely nothing.
So in a way, it’s like as if you never really existed.”
In this episode, we speak with Anne Murphy – nurse, midwife, piano teacher, mother, and lifelong volunteer who was born in the Castlepollard Mother and Baby Home in the 1950s.
Anne shares her journey from infancy and time spent in multiple institutions, through her adoption to emigrating to Canada and searching for the truth about her early life. With honesty and warmth, Anne reflects on uncovering her family story and reconnecting after decades abroad.
A powerful conversation about identity and the enduring impact of Ireland’s Mother and Baby Home Institutions.
To listen to Anne’s episode and trailer, please click the link or listen below.
Episode 2 – James’ Voice
“I’ll never forget her words.
She said, we heard his screams and we did nothing.
Them words will never leave me.
Because people knew what was going on there.
But no one ever did anything“
In this episode, we speak with James Sugrue, who shares his powerful story of being boarded out as a child in Ireland- separated from his brothers and forced into years of exploitation & abuse on a Kerry farm.
After rebuilding his life and becoming a criminal lawyer, James has become a leading advocate for the thousands of boarded out children excluded from State enquiries and redress.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, justice, and the fight for long overdue recognition.
To listen to James’ episode, please click the link or listen below.
Episode 3 – Jude’s Voice
“Imagine you’re going through life.
You have no full identity.
And you can’t explain who you are.
Only the misinformation you have.
And you can’t confirm it or anything.
And you can imagine the thousands that went through life like that. Never finding out who their mother or father were“
In this episode, we speak with Jude Hughes- Dubliner, master tailor, anti‑racism pioneer, and survivor of Ireland’s institutional system.
Jude was born in a mother and baby home and spent time in five institutions.
Jude went on to build a remarkable life of sport, music, community activism, and decades of campaigning for equality.
A powerful conversation about identity, and the legacy of one extraordinary man.
To listen to Jude’s episode, please click the link or listen below.
Episode 4 – Katie’s Voice
“I always say to survivors today when they say I’m damaged,
I say you’re not damaged, you’re injured.
You’re injured, you know?
And that’s the truth of it. We are injured people“
In this episode, we speak with Katie Doyle, a survivor of Ireland’s Industrial Schools and Magdalene Laundries.
Taken into institutional care at four years old, Katie has very clear and distinct memories of her 14 years spent in institutions.
Today, she leads the Survivors Integrated Service at the London Irish Centre, supporting survivors across the UK.
A powerful conversation about memory, strength, and the ongoing fight for justice.
To listen to Katie’s episode, please click the link or listen below.
To learn more about the London Irish Centre’s Survivor Integrated Service, visit their website: Survivors Integrated Service – London Irish Centre