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Anne  Ryan did not take in orphaned children; it was her daughter Sarah who did that. They were not orphaned in the sense that we understand - they were unwanted, or seperated from their mothers and then boarded out. A lady in USA was commissioned by the Sisters of Mercy to collate records from these types of homes. She produced lists, photos and records for most of the children who passed through this system. I have met one or two of them. However, the records only show what could be shown.
During my research, I was told of a rumour where someone believed that Bernard Ryan could have been the illegitimate child of Sarah Ryan and that he was passed off as Anne Ryan's child. This may explain the lack of any birth records. I must stress that it was one person's opinion.
I also have a newspaper cutting from a paper in New Zealand where it reports that Sarah Ryan was involved in the abduction of a child which was found hidden at 8 Royal Canal Terrace. Whilst this seems incredible, the paper seems to know quite a bit about her.
So there are quite a few mysteries surrounding the Ryans. The files I have depict them as highly thought of and well-respected in the community. Ann Ryan received many tributes and letters of support from high places and was given very sympathetic press coverage when Bernard was convicted.

Hi Michelle
I am also trying to trace where my late mother was. I have been at it for over twenty years. Kildare is unlikely to be the place because there wasn't a school there. However, there was St. Patricks Convent which could be worth a try. Generally, girls were sent to nuns along with infant age boys so I doubt that your nan would have been with the Christian Brothers.
The HSE in Dublin are obliged under the Freedom of Information Act to release info to relatives with regard to Ind. School Detentions. They give the sketchiest of info and want lots of proof from yourself before they release it. However, I do think they are your best place to start.
Children were deliberately sent to the other side of the country as it was thought it best for them to have a clean break from their relatives whatever the circumstances. Also, the Schools asked the authorities to send them children when they had spaces as they received funding per head of children. So there was no sensitivity or logic displayed with regard to distances of placements.
My mum first turns up in the courts age six in 1936 charged with begging. She is committed for ten years but actually serves twelve. No one appears in Court for her and the address she supposedly lives at has denied having her there. Mum could not remember anything before "School" and we never knew who she was or who her family were. No birth records at all. So where did she come from? Snatched from the street to make up the numbers perhaps?
Let me know if you find anything, need any help or have any questions.
Kind regards
Dee