The Lost Children of Tuam (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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The Lost Children of Tuam follows amateur historian Catherine Corless as she investigates records connected to a former Mother and Baby Home in County Galway. Her search brings her into conflict with powerful institutions while uncovering a painful chapter in Ireland’s past.

The Lost Children of Tuam is a historical drama based on the investigation of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Set around records from a former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, the film follows her effort to pursue disturbing questions that others would prefer to leave unanswered.

Directed by Frank Berry and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the 2026 film stars Monica Dolan as Corless. Its story places one researcher in opposition to the Church, the State and elements of her local community as evidence begins to reveal a hidden part of Ireland’s history.

The Lost Children of Tuam movie details

Story without spoilers

Catherine Corless begins examining documents linked to a former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. What starts as historical research develops into a determined investigation after she encounters evidence pointing to a troubling past.

As Corless continues gathering information, she faces resistance from powerful institutions and from people in the local town. The film centers on her persistence, the questions raised by the records and the broader consequences of challenging an officially protected version of history.

What to expect

The film is described as a drama and historical film based on a true story and on magazine, newspaper or article material. Viewers can expect a fact-based investigation focused on records, institutional resistance and the effort to bring overlooked events into public view.

Its subject matter gives the story a serious and reflective tone. The central role is Catherine Corless, whose research drives the narrative and connects the film to a significant chapter in Ireland’s past.

Cast and creative team

Monica Dolan plays Catherine Corless, with Elaine O'Dwyer as Alicia Corless. The cast also includes Andrew Bennett, Ian McElhinney, Ruth McCabe, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle and others. Thomas Hopkins plays Old Man, Jonathan Heed plays Reporter, Patrick O'Donnell plays Franny Hopkins, and Ian Dillon appears as Funeral Attendee in an uncredited role.

Frank Berry directs the film, while Rebecca Lenkiewicz wrote the screenplay.

• Monica Dolan as Catherine Corless
• Andrew Bennett
• Ian McElhinney
• Ian Dillon as Funeral Attendee (uncredited)
• Thomas Hopkins as Old Man
• Ruth McCabe
• Elaine O'Dwyer as Alicia Corless
• Jonathan Heed as Reporter
• Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle
• Patrick O'Donnell as Franny Hopkins

Release and production context

The Lost Children of Tuam is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of September 25, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. The production is associated with the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and the United States of America, and its spoken languages are English and Gaelic.

Production companies include BBC Film, Element Pictures, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Fremantle, Big Red Films, Port Pictures, Coimisiún na Meán and mk2 Films.

Production companies: BBC Film, Element Pictures, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Fremantle, Big Red Films, Port Pictures, Coimisiún na Meán, mk2 Films

The Lost Children of Tuam official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

Movies Dock view

The Lost Children of Tuam presents a historical investigation through the perspective of Catherine Corless, focusing on the records, resistance and discoveries that shaped her search for answers. With its true-story basis and Irish historical setting, the film offers a concise drama about confronting an institutionally difficult past.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb