Whispering Hope: The True Story of the Magdalene Women
Nancy Costello · Kathleen Legg · Diane Croghan · Marie Slattery · Marina Gambold · Steven O'Riordan · Sue Leonard
May 2015 · Hachette UK
5.0star
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304
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About this ebook
"At the conclusion of my discussions with one group of the Magdalene Women one of those present sang 'Whispering Hope'. A line from that song stays in my mind - 'when the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day'.
Let me hope that this day and this debate heralds a new dawn for all those who feared that the dark midnight might never end."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny's State apology to the Magdalene women.
On 19 February 2013 the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologized to the women who had been incarcerated in Ireland's Magdalene laundries. In the audience sat Steven O'Riordan, a documentary filmmaker and founder of the charity Magdalene Survivors Together. And by his side, waiting patiently for the words they'd been fighting to hear, were some of the women he had helped.
For Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina were confined in Magdalene laundries throughout Ireland during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The harrowing physical and psychological abuse they endured in the institutions, run on behalf of the State, led to a lifetime of shame and secrecy.
Now, in WHISPERING HOPE, these women tell their stories for the first time. Their fight for justice and forged friendships has enabled them to move forward and have their voices heard, their individual accounts weaving together in an immensely powerful narrative that shines a light on a dark chapter in Ireland's history.
Inspirational and moving, this is the story of five women brave enough to confront their past and strong enough to not let it define them.
Let me hope that this day and this debate heralds a new dawn for all those who feared that the dark midnight might never end."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny's State apology to the Magdalene women.
On 19 February 2013 the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologized to the women who had been incarcerated in Ireland's Magdalene laundries. In the audience sat Steven O'Riordan, a documentary filmmaker and founder of the charity Magdalene Survivors Together. And by his side, waiting patiently for the words they'd been fighting to hear, were some of the women he had helped.
For Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina were confined in Magdalene laundries throughout Ireland during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The harrowing physical and psychological abuse they endured in the institutions, run on behalf of the State, led to a lifetime of shame and secrecy.
Now, in WHISPERING HOPE, these women tell their stories for the first time. Their fight for justice and forged friendships has enabled them to move forward and have their voices heard, their individual accounts weaving together in an immensely powerful narrative that shines a light on a dark chapter in Ireland's history.
Inspirational and moving, this is the story of five women brave enough to confront their past and strong enough to not let it define them.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Caroline Costas
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June 18, 2015
Magdalene Laundrys. Amazing, heart felt book. Cried so much reading your stories. How could they (nuns!) put you through all that! God bless all the girls from this story and all the Maggies. You should hold your heads up high. Xxxx
1 person found this review helpful
Carmel Wilcox
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March 17, 2019
Heartbreaking to read as these poor women suffered terribly. I have so much love and respect for all who helped get justice and finally put a smile on the faces of these amazing women .x
1 person found this review helpful
A Google user
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July 17, 2015
Fatastic Read
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Nancy Costello, Kathleen Legg, Diane Croghan, Marie Slattery and Marina Gambold were confined in Magdalene Laundries in Ireland during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Through the charity Magdalene Survivors Together, founded by documentary and filmmaker Steven O'Riordan, they fought for justice and in 2013 won compensation and an apology from the Irish State.
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