Event to remember Magdalene women of Limerick on site of former laundry

THERE will be a remembrance event for the Magdalene women of Limerick on the grounds of a former Magdalene laundry.

Hosted by the Women’s Collective, the event ‘Remembering the Magdalene Women’ will take place on Friday, November 27 in the former Good Shepherd convent and laundry - now home to Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD).

The event is aimed at honouring and remembering the women who were incarcerated there.

Guest speakers will include local author and historian Sharon Slater who will talk about the history of the building and grounds, activist and artist Evelyn Glynn who did extensive research on the Limerick laundry and human rights lawyer Maeve O’Rourke, who was heavily involved in the justice for Magdalene’s campaign.

Ms O’Rourke brought the Irish Government in front of the European Court of Human Rights through cases submitted to the Human Rights Commission in 2010 and the UN Committee against Torture and the UN Human Rights Council.

Limerick coordinator for Women’s Collective Ireland, Yvie Murphy said: “We were approached by organisers of the annual remembrance of Limerick’s Magdalene Women, which was interrupted due to Covid.

“Through speaking with them and getting support from LSAD, we are delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge and honour Limerick’s Magdalene women and to make sure our dark history and horrific treatment of women is not forgotten.”

Pauline Goggin, an organiser of the annual remembrance of Limerick’s Magdalene Women, added: “We look forward to resuming this annual gathering. We invite the public, artists, writers, musicians, and students - whose work has long responded to the voices locked within the Magdalene walls - to join us in ensuring this bleak chapter of post-independence Ireland is never repeated.”

‘Remembering the Magdalene Women’ is open to all and takes place on Friday, November 27 from 12:30pm-3pm in the Church Gallery at Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD), Clare Street, Limerick.

This is a free event but places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite, search Women’s Collective Ireland - Limerick. This event is supported by Limerick School of Art and Design - TUS.

Women’s Collective Ireland aims to promote gender equality and they offer supportive and welcoming spaces for women to gather.

They also run various courses and events including health and awareness days.

They were also instrumental in the establishment of Limerick Women’s Caucus - the first of its kind at local level in Ireland.