The Anglo-Celt
April 8, 2010
http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2010/04/08/3996239-allireland-lost-childhood-centre-for-cavan/
A new all-Ireland centre designed to focus on healing the hurt experienced by abuse victims is set to be established in the Virginia area of County Cavan.
The move is the brainchild of Eamon Carthy and Lorraine Kelly from the New Beginnings shop at the entrance to the old St Clare's Convent complex in Cavan town.
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| Eamon Carthy, Lorraine Kelly, Mavis Arnold, Heather Laskey and Sean Galligan. |
Eamon Carthy told The Anglo Celt this week that they have their heart set on a place in Virginia which they deem very suitable as a base for this new healing refuge for victims of various forms of abuse, including sexual abuse.
He is also calling for a national day of reconciliation for all adults who were hurt and it could take place on 23rd February, 2011 and on this date every year. February 23rd has been chosen because it was on that date that the orphans perished in the fire at St. Clare's.
"The victims will be able to come to the new centre and share their stories and pain with others. It will emphasise to them that they are not on their own and it will act as a positive form of support to all of those who attend," said Eamon Carthy.
According to Mr. Carthy there are terrible stories of child abuse in Ireland and children had been abused in many different way including sexually and mentally.
"There is a lot of hurt in Ireland at the present time and we just feel that there is no place in Ireland suitable, where such victims can go and share their inner hurt. They will be afforded every opportunity to talk about it. The support group at the centre will help them to get on with their lives," he said.
Lorraine Kelly said that the centre will be non profitable and will be structured to build up the confidence of victims and help them get in touch with their inner strengths once again.
"They can tell each other how they coped with their particular situation. Once they can share their stories in a safe environment, then you grow within yourself and gained renewed confidence," she said.
Eamon Carthy revealed that there are around 300 small centres all over Ireland dealing with victims on a minor scale. He said that they are currently networking with all those centres with a view to utilising the skills of the therapists attached to them.
Memorial for fire orphans
Eamon Carthy and Sean Galligan revealed that plans to erect a fitting memorial to the victims of the St. Clare's convent fire at the old complex is proceeding very well.
The joint authors of the book Heather Laskey and Maevis Arnold were in Cavan last Thursday to lend their support to this campaign to have a memorial put in place.
The book called 'The Children of the Poor Clare's' - the story of an Irish orphanage was published in 1985. Heather pointed out that it was not in fact an orphanage but an industrial school.
"I hope the people of Cavan really support this initiative, because it is a truly wonderful thing these people are doing".
Maevis Arnold said she was thrilled that a fitting memorial was eventually being put in place. She saw at first hand how one of the former orphans was traumatised by her time in the Cavan Industrial School, as she lived in the Arnold home.
"It was terrible what it did to these people," she said.
They held a meeting in the Farnham Arms hotel last Thursday night and a committee will be elected at the next meeting to raise funds and decide on the type of memorial that will be put in place.
He says that everyone is very supportive of the idea. The next meeting takes place in the Farnham Arms Hotel on Thursday 29th April at 8pm.
Mr. Galligan said that Sr. Margaret from the Poor Clare Order informed them at the meeting that there will be a donation forthcoming from the Poor Clare Order.
Mr Carthy also intimated that Fr. John Gilhooley, ADM, had informed them that he will be more than happy to co-operate with their endeavours in relation to the memorial plaque.
The idea of holding a concert in the church has been mooted to raise funds - or the taking up of a collection.
Mr. Carthy said that they are also releasing an album which features a song about the fire horror and the song is sung by Kathleen Barry. It is called Na Paisti Beag.
"We hope to bring a lot of awareness right around Ireland about this cause," he said.
It is hoped that a local sculptor will take up the challenge of producing a fitting memorial piece to be sited at the former convent.
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