IRELAND
New Ross Standard
David Looby
March 4 2017
This Sunday marks 50 years since the closure of the Good Shepherd’s Magdalene Laundry in New Ross and to remember the victims of the laundry the fourth annual Flowers for Magdalenes memorial ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. at St Stephen’s cemetery, Irishtown.
Flowers for Magdalenes is a family event and children are welcome to attend. The laundry was located in the Irishtown on the site where the Mercy Convent now stands. It was one of the ten laundries in Ireland and closed its doors in 1967. With the demolition of St Aidan’s Industrial School in December 2015 the communal grave at St Stephen’s cemetery remains the only focal point for Magdalene survivors and their families.
Last year’s intergenerational gathering attracted a large crowd and saw young children, teenagers and older members of the New Ross community gather together respectfully to commemorate the Magdalene women through poetry, song, reflection and the laying of flowers. A musical composition entitled ‘The Emasculated Magdalened Innocence’, penned and performed by local musician Michael Fottrell completed the homage.
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