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I was a student midwife in St James in 1980 & 81 and remember many of the St Pats girls coming in for their deliveries but cannot recall any names. What I do recall was that we (students) cared very much for them in whatever way we could (as did the qualified midwives) as we were so close in age and their situation could have been ours (well, some of us) due to the attitude to pregnant single girls at the time. We did our best to help & support them through labour - laughed & cried with some. Most went back to St Pats with their baby. However I can recall one poor girl who had to leave her baby in hospital due to illness (something simple) and knew baby was being placed for adoption & she would never see baby again - it was heartrending and we just hugged her & cried with her. It was such a different time - it was just accepted that that was the way things were & there was no option or support to raise a child alone. Even though we talked a lot to the girls I cannot remember any tales of being mistreated in the home.
This really is just to say that if you were born in these years in St James, your Mum would have had very good care and kindness as did the new arrivals. Wishing you all happiness and peace in your searches. X