A woman of 81 has met her 103-year-old mother for the first time, after searching for her for more than 60 years.
Eileen Macken was raised in a Dublin orphanage and began looking for her birth mum at the age of 19.
A genealogist finally tracked her down in Scotland.
Eileen said: “Once I heard that, nothing would stop me trying to get to see her. I went over to see her and she’s the most beautiful lady, lovely family, they gave me a great welcome.
“We came in and, honestly, I haven’t got over the acceptance that I got. They accepted me and I had a great chat with my mother.”
Woman, 81, stunned to learn birth mum is still alive at 103 after 61-year search
Eileen grew up in Protestant-run Bethany Home, one of a number of mother and baby homes in Ireland being examined by the Commission of Investigation.
These were generally places where women who became pregnant outside marriage gave birth. In the main, the babies were adopted.
Mother-of-three Eileen travelled to Scotland with her husband George and her daughter and son-in-law to meet Elizabeth, who turns 104 today.
When she knocked on the door, she was met by a man who turned out to be one of her two half-brothers. She said: “I told him I was from Ireland and that I had found my mum here and could we come in to see her, and he said, ‘Certainly’.
“I told her, ‘You know I’m your daughter’ and she just looked up at me and she took my hand.
“I think it’s nearly gone past her but there was such a bond between the two of us. It was fantastic.”
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Eileen had a “great chat” with her mum during her three-day trip.
She added: “She was reading the newspaper and when she saw me, I said we were from Ireland and she said, ‘I was born in Ireland’.
“She was thrilled and never let go of my hand. I don’t think I’ll ever come down out of the cloud.”
Eileen said she was determined that she should find her mum.
She said: “I felt, how could I be one person on this planet and having nobody – I had to go and search.”
She added: “We had three days of wonderful happiness that I’ve never had before. I don’t think I’ve done any work in the house, I’m that happy. I’m going around singing.
“You’ve no idea what it’s done to me, I’m just so happy.”
