08 October, 2019

CIT INVESTIGATES, a series of public talks presented by CIT School of Humanities and CIT Arts Office, continues with an insight into the "Magdalene Laundries" system in Ireland. The talk will take place in the Rory Gallagher Theatre on the Bishopstown Campus at 7.00pm on Thursday, October 17.

The panel will include survivors of the Magdalene Laundries sharing their personal experiences; leading human rights lawyer and academic Dr. Maeve O'Rourke; and acclaimed author Caelainn Hogan who's new book "Republic of Shame" will be available on the night.

This is a free event but booking is essential. Tickets are available here

Dr Maeve O'Rourke is a Human Rights Lawyer and Lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway.  Prior to her recent appointment in NUI Galway, she worked with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.  Since 2010, Maeve has provided pro bono assistance to the voluntary advocacy group ‘Justice for Magdalenes’ and she is currently a member of the research group ‘Justice for Magdalenes Research’ (www.jfmresearch.com). 

Caelainn Hogan is a writer and multimedia journalist who has reported across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Her new book, Republic of Shame, published in September 2019, details the lived experiences of women who were sent to Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries.   As well as interviewing women who had spent time in the homes, Caelainn also spoke to members of the religious orders that ran them. She said it was important for her to speak to people from the religious orders because there has been a “pervasive silence” from them about the treatment of unmarried mothers in the homes.