Ireland’s Abortion Journey: Stories of Silence, Struggle, and Reform

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Podcast

What does abortion access really look like in Ireland—before and after legal reform? In this powerful episode of the SRHM Podcast, host Mindy Jane Roseman is joined by three leading researchers—Niamh Skelly, Dyuti Chakravarty, and Lorraine Grimes—whose work reveals the lived realities behind Ireland’s evolving abortion landscape.

From the emotional weight of unspoken stories in pre-liberalisation Ireland to the persistent gatekeeping and policy gaps today, this conversation unpacks how legal change alone doesn’t guarantee meaningful access. The episode also offers vital lessons for countries undergoing or anticipating abortion law reform, while highlighting how research can drive action, advocacy, and justice.

Tune in for evidence, insight, and hope in the fight for reproductive rights.

Useful links:

• Read the full paper, 'Staying in a punishing place: online narratives about pregnancy and abortion in pre-liberalisation Ireland' by Niamh Skelly at srhmjournal.org.
• Read the full paper, 'Restrictive points of entry into abortion care in Ireland: a qualitative study of expectations and experiences with the service' by Dyuti Chakravarty, Joanna Mishtal, Lorraine Grimes, et al. at srhmjournal.org.