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Whispering Hope: The True Story of the Magdalene Women
"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 Edna 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 Magdalene Survivors Together group. 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.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2015
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January 7, 2018
Whispering Hope
Where do I begin with this book?
This book relates the tragic but true autobiographical stories of five Irish women about their experiences whilst incarcerated in one or other of the Magdalene laundries situated in Ireland. I had already heard about these horrendous places, but the testimonies given by these five women out of the thousands incarcerated, aroused many mixed and deep emotions within me.
I felt shocked, disgusted, tearful and utterly horrified at the extent of brutality inflicted on these young girls and also the fact that it was allegedly carried out in the name of God… these nuns could systematically destroy these youngsters both physically and emotionally and could even get away with such cruel treatment for very many years, with the apparent treatment of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Did no one ever look into what went on in these laundries? Apparently not!
This book reveals the awful truth that thousands of innocent children were simply delivered into these appalling places by parents who could not afford to keep them at home or simply did not want them at home.
Apart from the dreadful conditions these youngsters were made to live in, the nuns were making a lot of money out of this too.
A question kept running through my mind as I struggled to read each girl’s testimony. How did these places get away with it for so many years without anyone realising what was going on?
The answers to my question have been discussed elsewhere but never to the satisfaction of those who were victims of these dreadful places. Some have been awarded compensation but others have not. Even a public apology by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the Magdalene women can never truly undo the physical and psychological damage inflicted on these young girls. I had my own fill of nuns throughout my own education and still bear the emotional scars but never like this.
‘Whispering Hope is not an easy book to read but it still should be read for it contains shocking truths. Although there are many similarities in each of the women’s testimonies, overall I had to read them all.
I do wonder though…What were the reasons for why those nuns were like they were? What happened to them to cause them to behave as they did? I feel there is very much more to this whole business than has been explored. Thereby hangs a tale.
Where do I begin with this book?
This book relates the tragic but true autobiographical stories of five Irish women about their experiences whilst incarcerated in one or other of the Magdalene laundries situated in Ireland. I had already heard about these horrendous places, but the testimonies given by these five women out of the thousands incarcerated, aroused many mixed and deep emotions within me.
I felt shocked, disgusted, tearful and utterly horrified at the extent of brutality inflicted on these young girls and also the fact that it was allegedly carried out in the name of God… these nuns could systematically destroy these youngsters both physically and emotionally and could even get away with such cruel treatment for very many years, with the apparent treatment of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Did no one ever look into what went on in these laundries? Apparently not!
This book reveals the awful truth that thousands of innocent children were simply delivered into these appalling places by parents who could not afford to keep them at home or simply did not want them at home.
Apart from the dreadful conditions these youngsters were made to live in, the nuns were making a lot of money out of this too.
A question kept running through my mind as I struggled to read each girl’s testimony. How did these places get away with it for so many years without anyone realising what was going on?
The answers to my question have been discussed elsewhere but never to the satisfaction of those who were victims of these dreadful places. Some have been awarded compensation but others have not. Even a public apology by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the Magdalene women can never truly undo the physical and psychological damage inflicted on these young girls. I had my own fill of nuns throughout my own education and still bear the emotional scars but never like this.
‘Whispering Hope is not an easy book to read but it still should be read for it contains shocking truths. Although there are many similarities in each of the women’s testimonies, overall I had to read them all.
I do wonder though…What were the reasons for why those nuns were like they were? What happened to them to cause them to behave as they did? I feel there is very much more to this whole business than has been explored. Thereby hangs a tale.
July 29, 2017
A book I stayed up super late to finish, mainly because it was making me cry and also because I wanted to find out about these awesome, unbroken women who had the strongest spirits I have ever seen. The torture of the Magdalene laundries and the intense suffering that they caused these poor creatures was intolerable. How these places could be marketed as places of training or places that actually provided an education to unfortunates is beyond me. Devastating places to end up in and devastating beings pretending to be following the instructions of God when in reality they enjoyed working the girls to the bone.
October 20, 2016
This is such an important book, not just for the Irish and church communities but for society. This is the composition of just a few of the stories of women who were incarcerated by the state in laundries run by abusive nuns under the guise of providing the "fallen" women with an education and a second chance. Of course, these laundries were merely workhouses for women and female children who had been abandoned, abused or who had had an illegitimate child - a great sin in catholic Ireland.
The stories are heartbreaking and at times make for difficult reading. But it's important that their stories are told, and that those who suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of the state receive apologies and compensation.
It was refreshing to see a man championing women's rights in this way. Bearing in mind the last Magdalen laundry closed as recently as 1996, this should be a highly publicised issue.
For all the women who were, in effect, non-existent (many didn't have birth certificates so could not receive benefits when they managed to break free from the laundries), and for all the women who were beaten physically and tortured mentally, separated from their children against their will - this is just a slice of their stories.
The stories are heartbreaking and at times make for difficult reading. But it's important that their stories are told, and that those who suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of the state receive apologies and compensation.
It was refreshing to see a man championing women's rights in this way. Bearing in mind the last Magdalen laundry closed as recently as 1996, this should be a highly publicised issue.
For all the women who were, in effect, non-existent (many didn't have birth certificates so could not receive benefits when they managed to break free from the laundries), and for all the women who were beaten physically and tortured mentally, separated from their children against their will - this is just a slice of their stories.
May 7, 2017
From 1922 to 1996, young Irish women who did not fit into the "mainstream society" were regularly sent off to Magdalene Laundries to work for the Church, which minted money through the slave labour of these women. Apart from being worked till they dropped, they were subject to all kinds of humiliation, starvation, and were refused basic human rights such as writing to their families or having visitors. Their crime could be as simple as stealing an apple to something as heinous as "getting raped", apparently the ultimate sin. But their biggest crime was being poor. (I've never read of a Magdalen from a rich family!) The Irish State kept it all under wraps and was silent on this issue until it all broke open in the early 2000s.
This book talks about Steven O'Riordan, who makes socially relevant films, and who got interested in the situation of the Magdalenes, setting out to make people aware of a shameful part of Irish history. He also started a project for bringing justice to these women. In this book, a few of the women he comes into contact with speak out on their experiences.
Considering the nature of this book, it is unable to go into depth on various issues. The women talk of their experiences, but they just give an outline and discuss some incidents that made an impact on them. But we never get to know why their families thought it a good thing to send them in, how they survived over the years, how the system operated with the complicity of the Church, State, and society, prohibition of contraceptives and abortion (still a problem!), and other things essential for understanding this really strange and sexist phase of history. But it is still an important book as it records the experiences of the Magdalen women, something that has been denied to them for years due to social taboos.
This book talks about Steven O'Riordan, who makes socially relevant films, and who got interested in the situation of the Magdalenes, setting out to make people aware of a shameful part of Irish history. He also started a project for bringing justice to these women. In this book, a few of the women he comes into contact with speak out on their experiences.
Considering the nature of this book, it is unable to go into depth on various issues. The women talk of their experiences, but they just give an outline and discuss some incidents that made an impact on them. But we never get to know why their families thought it a good thing to send them in, how they survived over the years, how the system operated with the complicity of the Church, State, and society, prohibition of contraceptives and abortion (still a problem!), and other things essential for understanding this really strange and sexist phase of history. But it is still an important book as it records the experiences of the Magdalen women, something that has been denied to them for years due to social taboos.
June 1, 2023
The true story of five women who worked in the Magdalene laundries in Ireland. The book tells their harrowing stories of child labor and abuse perpetrated by the nuns and the Catholic Church.
May 26, 2017
Definitely worth a read but have tissues nearby.
Heart breaking book but truly shows the resilience and strength of women.
The stories of these women truly deserved to be told.
Heart breaking book but truly shows the resilience and strength of women.
The stories of these women truly deserved to be told.
April 13, 2021
'I didn't know where he was going. Sister had told me they had found him a good home, and that he would have a great life, but they always said that. When he was dressed they made me carry him up the corridor, then hand him to a nun. He started screaming. Words cannot describe how I felt, letting go him that last time. I never saw him again. He was three weeks old. Marie Slattery, 1976.
Marie Slattery suffered systematic sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather from the age of five years old until his death when she was eleven. After confiding this to her mother she was called a whore and placed into the care of the nuns of the Sacred Heart and told she needed to repent for her sins. Managing to escape she found herself in the centre of Dublin, alone and scared she was brutally raped and left in a alleyway. Sixteen, pregnant and homeless she went back to the convent. I was born in 1976. While I was being placed in the arms of my loving parents across the water Marie was being forced to dress her own baby and hand him over for adoption.
These are the stories as told by Marie, Nancy, Kathleen, Marie, Marina and Diane who were confined to the Magdalene laundries during the 50s, 60s and 70s. They suffered years of harrowing physical and psychological abuse at the hands of both the nuns and the state who allowed and paid for these institutions to operate.
Girls were placed in the laundries for many different reasons. Girls considered too pretty making them a temptation to men, girls who were considered naughty, too slow, girls with disabilities, girls given up by unmarried mothers and young orphans girls.
'Whispering Hope' has allowed these women to tell their stories for the first time. After a lifetime of shame and secrecy their fight for justice and newly forged friendships has enabled them to move forward and finally have their voices heard. This immensely powerful narrative is also very simple to read. There is no fancy language. Nothing has been exaggerated or embellished. You read these stores as they were told and they are heartbreaking.
Stephen has managed to shine a light on a dark chapter in Irelands history. A history that isn't quite over for some. Women were still being forced into these institutions well into the mid 1990s. Closures of the convents only began in 2013. Many women remained in these institutions their whole lives. Never speaking. Never feeling the touch of another. Never knowing love. The discovery of mass graves underneath many of these homes gives us a slight indication of how many thousands of women died at the hands of this so called 'religion'. A fascinating, interesting but tragic and very sad read. 📖📖📖
Marie Slattery suffered systematic sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather from the age of five years old until his death when she was eleven. After confiding this to her mother she was called a whore and placed into the care of the nuns of the Sacred Heart and told she needed to repent for her sins. Managing to escape she found herself in the centre of Dublin, alone and scared she was brutally raped and left in a alleyway. Sixteen, pregnant and homeless she went back to the convent. I was born in 1976. While I was being placed in the arms of my loving parents across the water Marie was being forced to dress her own baby and hand him over for adoption.
These are the stories as told by Marie, Nancy, Kathleen, Marie, Marina and Diane who were confined to the Magdalene laundries during the 50s, 60s and 70s. They suffered years of harrowing physical and psychological abuse at the hands of both the nuns and the state who allowed and paid for these institutions to operate.
Girls were placed in the laundries for many different reasons. Girls considered too pretty making them a temptation to men, girls who were considered naughty, too slow, girls with disabilities, girls given up by unmarried mothers and young orphans girls.
'Whispering Hope' has allowed these women to tell their stories for the first time. After a lifetime of shame and secrecy their fight for justice and newly forged friendships has enabled them to move forward and finally have their voices heard. This immensely powerful narrative is also very simple to read. There is no fancy language. Nothing has been exaggerated or embellished. You read these stores as they were told and they are heartbreaking.
Stephen has managed to shine a light on a dark chapter in Irelands history. A history that isn't quite over for some. Women were still being forced into these institutions well into the mid 1990s. Closures of the convents only began in 2013. Many women remained in these institutions their whole lives. Never speaking. Never feeling the touch of another. Never knowing love. The discovery of mass graves underneath many of these homes gives us a slight indication of how many thousands of women died at the hands of this so called 'religion'. A fascinating, interesting but tragic and very sad read. 📖📖📖
May 17, 2021
Time taken to read - 3 days
Pages - 289
Publisher - Orion
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
On 19 February 2013 the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologised to the women incarcerated in Ireland's Magdalene laundries. Listening to his words were Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina, all "Magdalene women" confined in the state-funded laundries run by the church during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The harrowing physical and psychological abuse they endured there led to a lifetime of hurt, loneliness, shame and secrecy - but finally the world knew what they had suffered.
In Whispering Hope, these women tell their stories for the first time. United in their fight for justice by Steven O'Riordan, founder of the group Magdalene Survivors Together, their individual voices interweave in an immensely powerful narrative that shines a light on a dark chapter in Ireland's history.
My review
Steven O'Riordan is an extraordinary young man. After watching a movie about the Magdalene ladies he was inspired to look into it after discovering it was real life stories. Finding out how recent it was since the laundries closed he took it upon himself to see what other stories hadn't been told, what happened to these women. Which brings him into the lives of Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina, all survivors, all Magdalene women.
In this book we hear how Steve got started and in their own words, Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina tell us about their lives before the laundries, how they got there, what they endured, survived and how they found each other.
These stories are utterly horrific, how such atrocities could be committed against children and women who had dared have the crime of either falling pregnant when not wed or "tempting" males in their family. The treatment by nuns, holy women who were supposed to care for them and instead brutalised, shamed, starved, hurt and abused them. It makes you so mad that not only did these things happen to thousands of vulnerable women and children, it happened over many years and then they had to fight to be heard, believed and finally get an apology.
Not an easy read by any means but a very important one, these women deserved to be heard. Their stories are sad, shocking, horrific and knowing the last one was still around in the 1990's beggars belief. 4/5 for me this time, this is the first book I have read like this, sure I seen stories or at least heard of them when I was younger. I hope they find some peace, Lord knows they deserve it.
Pages - 289
Publisher - Orion
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
On 19 February 2013 the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologised to the women incarcerated in Ireland's Magdalene laundries. Listening to his words were Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina, all "Magdalene women" confined in the state-funded laundries run by the church during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The harrowing physical and psychological abuse they endured there led to a lifetime of hurt, loneliness, shame and secrecy - but finally the world knew what they had suffered.
In Whispering Hope, these women tell their stories for the first time. United in their fight for justice by Steven O'Riordan, founder of the group Magdalene Survivors Together, their individual voices interweave in an immensely powerful narrative that shines a light on a dark chapter in Ireland's history.
My review
Steven O'Riordan is an extraordinary young man. After watching a movie about the Magdalene ladies he was inspired to look into it after discovering it was real life stories. Finding out how recent it was since the laundries closed he took it upon himself to see what other stories hadn't been told, what happened to these women. Which brings him into the lives of Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina, all survivors, all Magdalene women.
In this book we hear how Steve got started and in their own words, Nancy, Kathleen, Diane, Marie and Marina tell us about their lives before the laundries, how they got there, what they endured, survived and how they found each other.
These stories are utterly horrific, how such atrocities could be committed against children and women who had dared have the crime of either falling pregnant when not wed or "tempting" males in their family. The treatment by nuns, holy women who were supposed to care for them and instead brutalised, shamed, starved, hurt and abused them. It makes you so mad that not only did these things happen to thousands of vulnerable women and children, it happened over many years and then they had to fight to be heard, believed and finally get an apology.
Not an easy read by any means but a very important one, these women deserved to be heard. Their stories are sad, shocking, horrific and knowing the last one was still around in the 1990's beggars belief. 4/5 for me this time, this is the first book I have read like this, sure I seen stories or at least heard of them when I was younger. I hope they find some peace, Lord knows they deserve it.
November 21, 2023
"The girl looked as if she was about to cry, and the others in the room, keeping their eyes on their work, started to tremble with fear."
My heart was squeezed and reduced to nothing throughout this book. What these poor women had to go through was awful.
In a time when they should have been shown love by the very people who call thelmselves God's children these poor GIRLS were worked nearly to death. I
nstead of love they were given cruelty,
instead of hope they were broken down,
instead of payment, then we're given hard work and
instead of safety they were given fear.
To be a young girl is tough anyway but to be a young girl, in the early 90's living with uncertainty and confusion as to who you are and what is to be expected of you, in religious Ireland, to the be placed in a church, in an environment with people who are supposed to love and care for you, By people who brought you into this world and was supposed to feel that way too! When in reality they.. make time stand still every hurdle harder to grow up.
I have no words after hearing Marie, Nancy, Kathleen, Diane and Marina's story.. It made my heart ache for the lost little girls who didn't know what love was.
And what an amazing young man Steven O' Riordan was. It was thanks to him these women have security in their future and their harsh pasts are coming to the light to finally shame those who deserve it.
Cruelty is a choice. Never an option.
My heart was squeezed and reduced to nothing throughout this book. What these poor women had to go through was awful.
In a time when they should have been shown love by the very people who call thelmselves God's children these poor GIRLS were worked nearly to death. I
nstead of love they were given cruelty,
instead of hope they were broken down,
instead of payment, then we're given hard work and
instead of safety they were given fear.
To be a young girl is tough anyway but to be a young girl, in the early 90's living with uncertainty and confusion as to who you are and what is to be expected of you, in religious Ireland, to the be placed in a church, in an environment with people who are supposed to love and care for you, By people who brought you into this world and was supposed to feel that way too! When in reality they.. make time stand still every hurdle harder to grow up.
I have no words after hearing Marie, Nancy, Kathleen, Diane and Marina's story.. It made my heart ache for the lost little girls who didn't know what love was.
And what an amazing young man Steven O' Riordan was. It was thanks to him these women have security in their future and their harsh pasts are coming to the light to finally shame those who deserve it.
Cruelty is a choice. Never an option.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2020
I was lucky enough to stumble upon this book at the library when none of my reservations were ready and it caught my attention when I read the back of the cover!
Wow it is such a powerful and important book for society to understand what really happened in Irish convents and it shows just how far society as come when you think of what is acceptable today and what is a prosecutable offence, I have never known much about nuns as I’m in my mid 20s and non religious, I’ve never heard an awful lot, but from what I did hear people would say they’re not as holy as they seem and they’re evil, now that I’ve read this book I fully understand why, of course not all nuns are the same and today they could never get away with what they put these women through,
I am so happy to see that these strong amazing women did get the apology and compensation they deserve and they have lived happy fulfilling lives eventually, I wish them all peace and love for eternity! One of the most eye opening story’s I have ever read!
Wow it is such a powerful and important book for society to understand what really happened in Irish convents and it shows just how far society as come when you think of what is acceptable today and what is a prosecutable offence, I have never known much about nuns as I’m in my mid 20s and non religious, I’ve never heard an awful lot, but from what I did hear people would say they’re not as holy as they seem and they’re evil, now that I’ve read this book I fully understand why, of course not all nuns are the same and today they could never get away with what they put these women through,
I am so happy to see that these strong amazing women did get the apology and compensation they deserve and they have lived happy fulfilling lives eventually, I wish them all peace and love for eternity! One of the most eye opening story’s I have ever read!
May 2, 2024
It has taken me a long time to collect my thoughts on this book and write a review, it has still left me feeling so sad, angry and helpless that things like this went on and that people can't do anything to stop the suffering of those that went through it. The image of the woman looking in a mirror and asking how beautiful she is will haunt me forever I think.
The book is really well written with parts from each of the five ladies and Steven himself at times. Each recounting of their experiences were so similar in the way they discussed their treatment and torture, because lets be real it was nothing short of torture.
I was surprised at how recently these laundries were still running, with the last closing in 1996 - lets all just take that in 1996 that was in my lifetime, it is beyond belief that these things were still happening and that young girls and women were being treated this way just short of 3 decades ago. I was also surprised at the many reasons that girls were taken into these institutions, I had heard of the laundries before but I always assumed that this was why they were put in them, which was harsh enough to be honest, but by reading this book I realised that there were multiple reasons that they were sent to them such as their mothers or parents dying, because they were deemed to be too pretty, because they had been sexually assaulted and societies answer was to lock them away in a laundry and get them to work all hours with very little food. Some of these girls were little more than babies when they went in and adults when they got out - if they were lucky, some of them were there until they closed and then were completely institutionalised and unable to live in the world.
This was such a heartbreaking read that was uplifting at times but on the whole just made me want to give each and every woman and child who has had to deal with that a massive hug.
I would highly recommend reading it because it is really important that people know about these laundries and what happened to the women in them
The book is really well written with parts from each of the five ladies and Steven himself at times. Each recounting of their experiences were so similar in the way they discussed their treatment and torture, because lets be real it was nothing short of torture.
I was surprised at how recently these laundries were still running, with the last closing in 1996 - lets all just take that in 1996 that was in my lifetime, it is beyond belief that these things were still happening and that young girls and women were being treated this way just short of 3 decades ago. I was also surprised at the many reasons that girls were taken into these institutions, I had heard of the laundries before but I always assumed that this was why they were put in them, which was harsh enough to be honest, but by reading this book I realised that there were multiple reasons that they were sent to them such as their mothers or parents dying, because they were deemed to be too pretty, because they had been sexually assaulted and societies answer was to lock them away in a laundry and get them to work all hours with very little food. Some of these girls were little more than babies when they went in and adults when they got out - if they were lucky, some of them were there until they closed and then were completely institutionalised and unable to live in the world.
This was such a heartbreaking read that was uplifting at times but on the whole just made me want to give each and every woman and child who has had to deal with that a massive hug.
I would highly recommend reading it because it is really important that people know about these laundries and what happened to the women in them
October 15, 2023
An amazing book that had me in tears. I read it after watching The Woman In The Wall, to hear the voices of women who had actually experienced life in the Magdalene Laundries.
Steven O'Riordan, a young Irish filmmaker, set up a group for survivors to tell their stories and share their experiences with each other. He worked with them and celebrated when the Taioseach, Enda Kenny, made a public apology for the suffering endured by the women. The laundries were run by the church for the state but it took a long time for the apology to be made.
These brave women can now speak their truth and let the wider community know of the horrors they suffered during the 50's, 60's and 70's.
Steven O'Riordan, a young Irish filmmaker, set up a group for survivors to tell their stories and share their experiences with each other. He worked with them and celebrated when the Taioseach, Enda Kenny, made a public apology for the suffering endured by the women. The laundries were run by the church for the state but it took a long time for the apology to be made.
These brave women can now speak their truth and let the wider community know of the horrors they suffered during the 50's, 60's and 70's.
June 16, 2019
if you’re going to read a book about the atrocities of the magdalene laundries, read this one. it is a tear-jerking TRUE collection of stories from 5 women and their bravery in enduring horrendous abuse from the catholic state as well as in sharing their stories. there is also a redemptive spirit at the end of their lives.
as opposed to other books on this topic that have been accused as fake, these stories are undoubtedly true. it could have all been put together a bit cleaner but overall, the stories reign clear.
as opposed to other books on this topic that have been accused as fake, these stories are undoubtedly true. it could have all been put together a bit cleaner but overall, the stories reign clear.
February 7, 2021
Another amazing book on the horrors suffered by innocent young women at the hands of the so called holy orders this isn’t my first book to read on the subject of mother and baby homes but just when you think the evilness of the nuns couldn’t get any worse then it does there’s no end to what they put young girls through denying them the most basic of care not even allowing them any form of pain relief during child birth if we are ever feeling hard done by reading a few chapters of this book will soon let us see how lucky we are
January 15, 2025
I decided to read this after I finished Claire Keegan's book Small Things Like These. I loved how it comprised of multiple true stories and that it wasn't just all gloom and doom thanks to the incredibly kind and talented Steven O'Riordan. If you want to learn more about the experiences of women who went to to Magdalene laundries I think this is a great place to start. Well-written and so eye-opening.
October 16, 2019
This is the heart braking story of the Madalene Women. What strong people they were. Some went into these homes as young children 10 to 12 years old. And they were made child slaves for years. What a horrible way to treat children!
April 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book although there were times a gasped in shock..
I always been interested in the stories Magdelene as I myself had a baby when I was young and though how lucky I was that we didn't have these places anymore.
What strong women they were to survive..
I always been interested in the stories Magdelene as I myself had a baby when I was young and though how lucky I was that we didn't have these places anymore.
What strong women they were to survive..
December 5, 2024
Im so sorry for ignorance but i thought these homes were for unwed mothers... which were awful enough but i didnt know children were put in there and frauded into this life. Finished the book in a day... couldn't stop reading it
July 8, 2021
as heartbreaking as everything about this book is, it's one of my favourites and something i think everyone (especially those in ireland) need to discuss more and stop sweeping it aside
September 30, 2021
Brilliant book. Really tough at times, I had to stop reading it for a while, but worth going back to and finishing
September 10, 2023
Enjoyed the book
March 9, 2024
Extremely powerful. Moments from this book are etched into my mind days after finishing. Incredible and so, so sad.
August 21, 2025
Very moving x
October 1, 2025
Read after Claire Keegans Small Things Like These. It feels a privilege to hear the stories of these woman.
July 15, 2016
This is a harrowing account of the lives of five women who spent time in Magdalene laundries in Ireland. It is even more shocking to realise some of these women were forced into these laundries as recently as in the 1960's & 70's, for no other reason than they were orphans or so good looking they might be a "temptation" to men, or were "fallen women" (had a baby outside of marriage)! They were told they were there "to do penance for their sin"
It is very hard to understand why society was so cruel then, why families abandoned their daughters and why those who were supposed to care for these children and women in need, could not treat them with kindness. Yes it was a patriarchal society, dominated by the catholic church and corporal punishment was the norm in schools then but surely someone realised there girls were being treated inhumanely and could have spoken out, a priest, head nun, politician or parent? Why were all the nuns in these places compliant with this regime of cruelty?
At last these women have found a voice and a place to tell their stories, where they will be listened to and believed. While some of the stories have similarities, each is a very personal and individual account. Compelling reading.
Steven O'Riordan with Sue Leonard helped these five women to tell their story. Steven founded the group "Magdalene Survivors together" who fought for an apology from the state and compensation for the women and children who were held against their will in laundries and "industrial schools".
Steven is also the director/producer of "No Limbs, no Limits" the story of his sister Joanne O'Riordan, who despite being born without limbs, has achieved international recognition for her campaign for disability rights.
It is very hard to understand why society was so cruel then, why families abandoned their daughters and why those who were supposed to care for these children and women in need, could not treat them with kindness. Yes it was a patriarchal society, dominated by the catholic church and corporal punishment was the norm in schools then but surely someone realised there girls were being treated inhumanely and could have spoken out, a priest, head nun, politician or parent? Why were all the nuns in these places compliant with this regime of cruelty?
At last these women have found a voice and a place to tell their stories, where they will be listened to and believed. While some of the stories have similarities, each is a very personal and individual account. Compelling reading.
Steven O'Riordan with Sue Leonard helped these five women to tell their story. Steven founded the group "Magdalene Survivors together" who fought for an apology from the state and compensation for the women and children who were held against their will in laundries and "industrial schools".
Steven is also the director/producer of "No Limbs, no Limits" the story of his sister Joanne O'Riordan, who despite being born without limbs, has achieved international recognition for her campaign for disability rights.
February 16, 2017
Oh my god those poor women. What a heart breaking lot of stories. To think that such cruelty existed even as recently as the 70's. What they had to endure at the hands of those evil nuns was horrific, religion has a lot to answer for.
July 29, 2023
What can one say about this book???? Such horrific stories about the abuse done to poor young girls and women all because society disapproved of their lives. Supposedly women of charity and kindness, the nuns treated these poor girls and women with nothing but torture. One or two tiny acts of ‘kindness’ were shown, however these poor girls through no fault of their own were subjected to most horrific circumstances and their lives ruined and deprived of any chance they might have had for peace of mind. The strength and resilience shown through stories of five of these women is truly amazing and Steven, the man who exposed these horrors should be given all the accolades possible. His determination exposed to the world, the horrors which went on behind closed doors. This book brought to mind the mass graves of babies and small children found in Ireland. So much for a mild caring religion !!!
May 23, 2022
The stories of these ladies is absolutely heartbreaking. I heard about this book because Nancy is a regular customer in the bookshop where I work and she told me her story. I wanted to read it so that I could talk with her some more about it. Her story is a very tough one to read but I'm glad to know that she ended up being such a wonderful, kind person after having such a horrible start to her life. I will never understand how these ladies were treated in such a horrific way. How did the public allow this to happen? It just doesn't make sense. This book is well worth reading, if only to remind people that this happened very recently and can never be allowed to happen again.
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June 28, 2016I've seen the film, The Magdalene Sisters, several times. I knew it was based on real events, but in this book you read the accounts of women who slaved in similar laundries across Ireland. I had no idea they were so common.
The accounts in this book are shocking and bring you to tears. I'm glad Steven O'Riorden never gave up in his pursuit of the truth and, more importantly, in the pursuit of an apology from the Irish Government to the victims of Ireland's hidden cruel history.
I admire the resilience of the many women who tell their stories in this book, and the many more who still can't bring themselves to speak of the cruelty they endured.
The accounts in this book are shocking and bring you to tears. I'm glad Steven O'Riorden never gave up in his pursuit of the truth and, more importantly, in the pursuit of an apology from the Irish Government to the victims of Ireland's hidden cruel history.
I admire the resilience of the many women who tell their stories in this book, and the many more who still can't bring themselves to speak of the cruelty they endured.
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