A CORK woman who gave her daughter up for adoption 18 years ago has been reunited with her after a search for her name on Google and the social networking site Facebook.
Orlaith McCullagh (38), Cobh, Co Cork, had not seen her daughter Jeannie-aline since giving her up for adoption when she was six weeks old.
The mother of three never stopped thinking of her oldest child, however, and eventually tracked down the teenager’s online social profile following a Google search of her name.
“There’s not many Jeannie-aline’s out there – in fact I think she is the only one in Ireland,” Ms McCullagh said.
The internet search prompted her to get in touch with her daughter through a friendship request on Facebook.
On November 11th last at 7.55pm, Ms McCullagh recalled feeling the urge to check her e-mail and there, online, was her daughter.
“It all started from that moment. It’s been the most amazing journey after the pain we both suffered for the past 18 years,” Ms McCullagh said.
She became pregnant at 20 but felt she could not offer Jeannie-aline a life where she would have everything she needed.
“I know now it’s not material things that children need, it’s love that is important. If I could turn back the clock I would never do it now, but I was young and naive.
“We both suffered terribly as a result and there’s not a day goes by that I don’t regret it.”
The pair now enjoy an “amazing” relationship and Jeannie-aline, who grew up in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, plans to move to Cork to be with her birth mother after her Leaving Certificate in June.
“That was the most horrendous 18 years of my life but this has been an amazing journey,” Ms McCullagh said. “I never thought I would have this relationship with her and I’m just so happy things have worked out so well.”
She contacted the Neil Prendeville show on Cork’s 96FM yesterday to share her story and give hope to others in a similar situation.
The pair had previously been in touch through letters, with Ms McCullagh sending presents and pictures to her daughter through the adoption facilitators at Bessborough House in Cork.
“I’d kept up to date with her every way I could throughout the 18 years. And I had tried for a long time to find her online until I finally did last year and it was wonderful. I was able to see all the competitions she’d won in school and everything and it was just amazing to know all about her.”
Jeannie-aline, who has an adoptive brother Pádraig, gained two sisters in the reunion process, Shannon (13) and Chantelle (7). She has also met her birth mother’s partner John.
“I’m grateful things have worked out so well,” Ms McCullagh said. “I regretted every single second until she came back into my life.”