New monument at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea honours survivors
People from all over Ireland and abroad travelled to Roscrea for the commemoration
A sombre commemoration was held to unveil a new monument at the Angel's Plot burial site at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea on Saturday last, which was attended by people who travelled from all over Ireland and abroad.
The poignant ceremony saw people who are deeply traumatised by the painful legacy left behind by the former Mother and Baby Home institution express their raw emotions and disappointment at the lack of the government's willingness to further investigate the unmarked burial site.
The new monument was unveiled by Tina Dooley, who was born in Sean Ross, and honours survivors of all institutions and the commemoration was for survivors and victims of all Ireland’s institutions.
The focus of the unveiling was to remember the mothers and children who spent time in the Sean Ross Home, as well as those survivors of the Magdalene Laundries and other institutions throughout the history of the State.
Tina Dooley worked with Roscrea man and longtime campaigner for an investigation at Sean Ross Abbey, Michael Donovan, with Bridget Maher and Maureen Sullivan, who are all part of the We Are Still Here survivors group.
A brief religious service was officiated by Roscrea Parish Priest, Fr John Molloy and local musicians Jack Keeshan and Edel Pender and Tina Dooley's granddaughter Izzy performed music. Roscrea writer and poet Mary MacNamara read a piece inspired by the Roscrea mother and baby home.
Sinn Féin Ireland South MEP, Kathleen Funchion attended the event and said it was a deeply emotional and moving day at the Angels Plot in Sean Ross Abbey to remember the many mothers and babies who died there between 1931 and 1969.
"I always feel incredibly privileged to know so many of the amazing, courageous and resilient survivors of the mother and baby institutions.
"It was an honour 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.
In her address 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 is some way," she said.
Ms Funchion said it is heartening 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 also addressed the gathering and urged people to explain the tragedy of Sean Ross and other institutions to the younger generation.
"Sit down with them, talk to them and tell them what happened here," Ms Maher said and thanked the people from Roscrea for their ongoing support for the campaign for justice at Sean Ross.
Sean Ross Abbey was run by the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who also ran Bessborough and Castlepollard. Today it is privately owned, and the main building on the St Anne’s campus is run as an emergency accommodation centre.
The Home operated from 1931 to 1969, and records show that 1,090 babies died there and 23 mothers.