PICTURES: New monument at Sean Ross Abbey honours survivors

A poignant event to unveil a new monument installed at the unmarked burial site at the former Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea honored the memory of deceased mothers, children and survivors.

The turnout for this unveiling of a monument to honour the mothers and children who died at Sean Ross Mother and Baby home was far reaching, with attendees travelling long distances to be there, some as far as Florida.

It was an emotional day for all involved at the Angel's Plot burial site on Saturday 29th August, and clear that the trauma suffered in Sean Ross Mother and baby home was felt deeply by all.

Disappointment was openly expressed at the government's failing to continue investigating this unmarked burial site.

The moving tribute was unveiled by Tina Dooley from Carlow, who was born in Sean Ross in 1963, and local man and long time campaigner Michael Donovan, along with Maureen Sullivan and Bridget Maher who are part of the We Are Still Here survivors group.

A brief blessing was officiated by Roscrea Parish Priest, Fr. John Molloy and music was performed by Izzy Slevin (granddaughter of Tina Dooley), Jack Keeshan and Edel Pender.

Roscrea writer and poet Mary McNamara read a poem written for and inspired by Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home.

Sinn Fein Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion attended the event and expressed her admiration of the

"Amazing, courageous and resilient survivors of the mother and baby home institutions. It was an honor to stand with them for the unveiling of this monument and to remember the many women and children who lost their lives here," she said.

Very poignantly, Ms Funchion said Sean Ross has an eerie and unsettling feeling and that the long approach road to the former institution prompts her to imagine the sense of dread many women felt as they first arrived there.

"Not knowing where they are going, what might happen or if they would ever come out. We need to remember those women who were treated so badly by the State and by the religious orders and by their own local society.

"Over the years I've had the privilege of meeting so many survivors and there is a generational aspect to it - so many people think we have moved on, but it is generational for families and it is very hard to find any family in this country who has not been affected by this issue in some way," she said.

Ms Funchion expressed how heartening is was to see so many children and grandchildren now campaigning for justice for their family members and thanked the organisers for inviting her to Roscrea for the commemoration.

Bridget Maher from the survivors group also addressed the gathering and urged people to explain the tragedy of Sean Ross and other institutions to the younger generation.