Mamie Cadden: Backstreet Abortionist

by Ray Kavanagh

Mamie Cadden was born in the US of Co. Mayo parents who returned to Ireland soon after her birth. Mamie qualified as a midwife from the National Maternity Hospital in 1925 and started work in one of Dublin's many nursing homes. Soon after she established her own home, St Maelruins, in Rathmines. Mamie became famous in Dublin for her fast lifestyle, blonde hair, MG sportscar and friendship with students, bohemians and other independent women. However, it all came to a temporary end in 1939 when she was sentenced to jail for abandoning a child she had contracted to place in a home. When she emerged in 1940 she began to concentrate on the busy abortion services in Dublin, a service which would eventually land her in jail for the rest of her life à

Genres: History

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Aoife ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book, I had never even heard of this woman. She was a saviour of women in Catholic Ireland who found themselves with crisis pregnancies.
She was NOT given the respect she deserved and would have been more than entitled to as a qualified medical professional.
She was never given a fair trial which is disgraceful.
This book really laid out all the facts which makes it transparent that the odds were stacked against her from the start.
Despite people having very little loyalty towards her, she never ratted people out.
I admire the fact that women, apparently, came out in their droves to show their support after the trial. They also helped her when she was in her final few months.
In conclusion, she was ahead of her time in ways that she probably couldn't imagine. I'm very happy to have found this book which has taught me a lot about the hero that is Mamie Cadden.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well-researched but I thought he was far too sympathetic to this criminal who butchered women and showed no compassion for them.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a sympathetic version of the life and woes of Dublin most infamous abortionist. Life during the early part of the 20th century was very difficult for many in the Dublin of the time. Nurse Cadden certainly helped many but also had some accidents which eventually alienated her from the public. Those who knew or were related to the victims may not agree with the version given. Still it provides an interesting read and provides a valuable insight to the politics and policies that prevailed during that period.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting story, slightly spoiled by some quite dry prose in places. Enjoyed reading. A surprisingly sympathetic account as well.