Monica Dolan (“Sherwood,” “Mr Bates vs The Post Office”) is set to lead the cast of Irish feature “The Lost Children of Duam,” being directed by Frank Berry (“Aisha,” “Michael Inside”) from a script by Rebeca Lenkiewicz (“The Salt Path,” “She Said”). Liam Neeson is among the producers.
The film — now shooting — comes from powerhouse production house Element Pictures (“Poor Things,” “Bugonia”), alongside BBC Film and Screen Ireland. Mk2 is handling international sales.
Based on The New York Times article “The Lost Children of Tuam” by Dan Barry, published in 2017, the film will focus on history enthusiast Catherine Corless (Dolan), who whilst researching the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, for a local historical society, uncovered a devastating possibility that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves on the property. The discovery rallied a campaign for justice for both victims and survivors of the home. Excavation of the mass grave began in the summer of 2025. Alongside Dolan, the cast will also include Andrew Bennett (“God’s Creatures,” “The Quiet Girl”) and Ian McElhinney (“Game of Thrones,” “Derry Girls”).
“It is a great honour to me that a dedicated, professional and high profile film crew are creating this film, which follows my arduous journey from when I first discovered what really happened in Tuam and the struggle I faced to bring this truth to light against so many obstacles,” said Corless. “It’s startling too, that I have observed the passion with which Frank Berry and his team are ensuring that the truth of what happened is paramount, and I am grateful, for that has been the essence of my long journey. It is said that a good film is immortal, and I have no doubt that ‘The Lost Children of Tuam’ will come under that spotlight.”
The film is presented by BBC Film and Screen Ireland in association with Fremantle, Coimisiún na Meán, MK2 and RTÉ as an Element Pictures/Big Red/El Paso production in association with Port Pictures and co-producer Besides Pictures. MK2 is handling worldwide sales, with Volta Pictures Distribution releasing the film in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Neeson, who optioned the rights to the New York Times article, will produce for El Paso Films, along with Jules Daly for Big Red Films, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures and Martina Niland for Port Pictures. Executive producers are Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Niamh Fagan for Screen Ireland and Christian Vesper for Fremantle.
“The story of Tuam is so important and is so resonant today in terms of children and who is deemed worthy of care and who is not. It is a shattering and vital interrogation into the past that carries into our present,” said Neeson. “It shows what one person can do in terms of action and Catherine Corless’ determination and passion is an inspiration.”