Candlelight vigil planned at former Roscrea Mother and Baby Home

Survivors of the former Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea are planning a poignant event to remember those who died at the facility.

A Candlelight Tribute will take place at Sean Ross Abbey on World Children’s Day on Thursday, November 20th at 5 pm, to honour the 1,090 babies and 23 young girls who died there.

The event will feature 1,090 tea lights to represent each baby and 23 pillar candles for the young girls who also lost their lives and organisers told the Tribune they are planning "a peaceful and dignified act of remembrance for those who were silenced and forgotten".

The hope is that people across Ireland and abroad will light candles in their windows at 5pm that evening in solidarity with those gathering at Sean Ross Abbey.

Supporters are invited to share photos of their candles on social media using the hashtags #JusticeForThe1090 and #SeanRossAbbeyBabies.

Schools and community groups are encouraged to take part in their own way by lighting candles, holding a moment of silence, or creating small displays of remembrance.

This will help ensure that future generations learn what happened in Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes and remember those who never had the chance to grow up.

"While this event is an act of remembrance, it is also a call for truth and action", the survivors said.
Survivors continue to urge the Government to locate and recover the remains of the 1,090 babies who died at Sean Ross Abbey.

READ NEXT: Roscrea SuperValu fire a 'devastating blow' for Roscrea

"Most of these children have never been found. Their mothers are now elderly, and many fear they will die without ever knowing where their babies are buried", they said.

The Candlelight Tribute will serve as both a memorial and a message — that the children of Sean Ross Abbey must be found, and that Ireland must finally give them the dignity of being named, recognised, and remembered, the organisers said.