I was the an art director on the film 'The Magdalene Sisters'. The research I did opened up a world that shocked me to the core. I am from Belfast and I had no idea. There is a chilling documentary out there somewhere (which the film took a lot from. Real women telling their stories. Ninety year old women still grieving for their taken children. Raped by uncles and then hidden away forever. An absolute disgrace that these women were treated in such an an appalling way, and that it was denied for decades. I think many people in Ireland (of a certain age), have a story connected to this subject. I remember my mother saying that when she was a girl, one day her best friend just wasn't there. She was told she had gone to live 'away'. She never saw her again and no one would answer questions. My family is from Bushmills on the North Antrim Coast. I was working with a guy a few years back who was from around there too. He made a joke - 'What's the most confusing day in Bushmills?' Father's Day.
Thank you so much for sharing this Caroline. Absolutely heartbreaking, of course, but we must never forget the very many women whose lives were ruined, stolen.
I am glad as hell I am not in Ireland, and really horrified at the fate of our Sisters there.
Back in India, in some of the village areas, the Women are still supposed to give a normal birth at home with no proper medical facilities, their families have some weird prejudices regarding cesarian. So many Women die in the process.
Also most of people are aware of Burkha and head and face covering systems back here - for Women only ofcourse, Some of the backward cities here have Females appropriated to Home maker role.
Makes You realize how many Women across world are being oppressed and suffering since centuries and it continues endlessly.
Thank You JL for it, I had missed 2 tweets in twitter clutter.👍
Thank you. She came back, was sent into service and as "damaged goods" ended up married to my grandfather. He was a paedophile and she was a baby machine. My mother and her sisters suffered terribly and the priests turned a blind eye to his crimes.
I couldn't even finish watching the film of The Magdalene Launderies because it was so horrific. And these girls and women had to live it. I couldn't even stomach the dramatisation. The anger it raises in me . And what has actually changed? Fundamentally very little.
I was the an art director on the film 'The Magdalene Sisters'. The research I did opened up a world that shocked me to the core. I am from Belfast and I had no idea. There is a chilling documentary out there somewhere (which the film took a lot from. Real women telling their stories. Ninety year old women still grieving for their taken children. Raped by uncles and then hidden away forever. An absolute disgrace that these women were treated in such an an appalling way, and that it was denied for decades. I think many people in Ireland (of a certain age), have a story connected to this subject. I remember my mother saying that when she was a girl, one day her best friend just wasn't there. She was told she had gone to live 'away'. She never saw her again and no one would answer questions. My family is from Bushmills on the North Antrim Coast. I was working with a guy a few years back who was from around there too. He made a joke - 'What's the most confusing day in Bushmills?' Father's Day.
Thank you so much for sharing this Caroline. Absolutely heartbreaking, of course, but we must never forget the very many women whose lives were ruined, stolen.
Just re-read this - not totally relevant to your piece but I am still so bloody angry about it, it felt good to share a few sentences. :-)
no, it's useful, thank you.
I am glad as hell I am not in Ireland, and really horrified at the fate of our Sisters there.
Back in India, in some of the village areas, the Women are still supposed to give a normal birth at home with no proper medical facilities, their families have some weird prejudices regarding cesarian. So many Women die in the process.
Also most of people are aware of Burkha and head and face covering systems back here - for Women only ofcourse, Some of the backward cities here have Females appropriated to Home maker role.
Makes You realize how many Women across world are being oppressed and suffering since centuries and it continues endlessly.
Thank You JL for it, I had missed 2 tweets in twitter clutter.👍
My grandmother 'went to Canada for a year''.. I suppose she was lucky not to be sent to the laundry. We have no idea where that baby is now.
Oh, your poor grandmother. So very sad. Love to you and your family, Sin.
Thank you. She came back, was sent into service and as "damaged goods" ended up married to my grandfather. He was a paedophile and she was a baby machine. My mother and her sisters suffered terribly and the priests turned a blind eye to his crimes.
Oh that's so unbearably sad. The ripples in the water. So many lives. I'm so very sorry.
I couldn't even finish watching the film of The Magdalene Launderies because it was so horrific. And these girls and women had to live it. I couldn't even stomach the dramatisation. The anger it raises in me . And what has actually changed? Fundamentally very little.