New sculpture honours children’s voices of the past

Saturday last, May 11th, was one of the most poignant days in the life of Tralee woman Miriam Moriarty Owens, as a very special memorial was unveiled – 25 years to the day after the Irish State’s apology.

Pictured is Miriam Moriarty Owens who was sent to the Pembroke Alms Industrial School as a baby in 1959, where she suffered unimaginable cruelty. For many years Miriam had called for a plaque to be erected under the tree as a memorial to commemorate survivors. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

Up to one hundred people attended the event to mark the anniversary on the grounds of Nazareth Home in Tralee, formerly known as the Pembroke Alms Industrial School.

On May 11th 1999, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stood on the steps of Dáil Éireann and offered a heartfelt apology on behalf of the State and Church for the unimaginable cruelty inflicted upon children in Industrial and Reformatory Schools across Ireland.

On Saturday Education Minister and Tralee woman, Minister Norma Foley, spoke at the event before unveiling the sculpture in front of all gathered.

This occasion is even more significant as it is the first memorial in Ireland specifically dedicated to remembering all the children who passed through the doors of Nazareth House, both past and present, and serves as a profound act of respect and a catalyst for healing for all those impacted by such institutions.

The harrowing experiences endured by these innocent children within the walls of such institutions must never fade from our collective consciousness, Miriam Moriarty Owens, who was sent to the Pembroke Alms Industrial School as a baby in 1959, where she suffered unimaginable cruelty, explained.

2) Pictured is Miriam Moriarty Owens who was sent to the Pembroke Alms Industrial School as a baby in 1959, where she suffered unimaginable cruelty. For many years Miriam had called for a plaque to be erected under the tree as a memorial to commemorate survivors. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

For many years Miriam had called for a memorial to be erected under the tree to commemorate survivors.

“Yes, we got compensation for what every child in these State run institutions went through, but it will never make up for what happened,” she said.

“We were children. As soon as you went through those doors your life changed forever; our identity and dignity was taken, and everyone was known as a number. Saturday was all about taking back our power. Margaret O’Callaghan who was also in Nazareth House, specifically chose this date, and it really says it all.

“And how fitting was it that her two granddaughters Samhain O’Callaghan aged 3 (daughter of Margaret’s son Ross and Tracey) and Aurelia O’Callaghan aged 7 (daughter of Margaret’s son Stephen and Barbara), placed a posy of white roses by the memorial.”

Margaret’s vision was to have a blessing that would reach out and may help and comfort the wounds of the inner child, wounds past residents may be carrying through life’s journey and for

that reason a healing blessing was chosen.

“At our meetings we were trying to compose words to be inscribed on the monument. We realised that it would be very difficult for all survivors to agree an inscription,” Miriam said.

“The poet and writer John O’Donoghue was the Irish author of the international bookseller ‘Anam Cara’, and other publications. The blessing inscribed in stone on the monument was taken by Margaret from his book called ‘Benedictus – A Book of Blessings’.

It reads;

“WHEN YOU TAKE BACK YOUR POWER AND CHOOSE TO SEE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION, YOUR CREATIVITY AWAKENS AND FLOWS TO BECOME AN ACTIVE FORCE OF RENEWAL AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE WORLD”.

“As part of our history, it’s very important that all these State run institutions should be marked as a reminder that such injustices never occur again.

“For the many people who travelled both far and near marked a very emotional day for many. The sun shone down and the tree was standing proud with her leaves dancing to the voices and the music that was played.”

Mary O’Brien Keenan, a survivor of Nazareth House, was unable to attend. She instead sent her own recorded version of ‘Amazing Grace’.

“It was absolutely breathtaking.”

Another survivor, Mary Donavan, travelled down on Saturday.

“As Mary visited all my family members’ graves, she also visited the grave that is located in Old Rath for the deceased girls who were in Nazareth Home and six names which was very important were included. Each name was called individually by Margaret, and Mary placed a tealight for each one down at the sculpture.

“It was very important to all of us to give them a name so that they’ll never to be forgotten.”

And Minister for Education Norma Foley’s words will remain with Miriam forever.

4) The sculpture which was unveiled on the grounds of the old Nazareth Home in Tralee, formerly known as the Pembroke Alms Industrial School. (Photo supplied by Miriam Moriarty Owens)

“The empathy and honesty in her voice was outstanding. I personally felt this was a genuine apology. Margaret O’Callaghan my friend and a fellow survivor who I grew up with, was amazing to work with. Rebekah Wall who designed the memorial is a genuine kind human being. From day one Rebekah was so passionate to be involved and listened to what we wanted. Billy Leen who sculpted this beautiful memorial made from Kilkenny Stone crafted it so beautifully. For all those who have died and passed through these doors, a candle was placed in their memory. Each name was called out separately. They included:

1869 …1996

Joan Moriarty

Aine Moriarty

Michael Donovan

Natasha Donovan

Martin Donovan

Caroline Donovan

Sally Donovan

Maureen Donovan

Jacqueline Bain

Marie Prenderville

Mark Millar

Sean Moran

Marie Molyanaux

Breda Kelly

Mary B Fealy

Kathleen Mahoney

Johnnie Carroll

Peig Lenihan

Josephine O’Connor

Kathleen Daly

Marian Coffey

Philomena Fitzgerald

Kathleen (little girl)

Mary Teresa Coffey

Christina Coffey

Joan Sweeney

Bridget Scanlon

Mary Buckley

Margaret O’Connor

Teresa McKenna

5) Miriam Moriarty Owens who was sent to the Pembroke Alms Industrial School as a baby in 1959, pictured with some of those in attendance for the unveiling of the sculpture 25 years to the day after the Irish State’s apology. (Photo supplied by Miriam Moriarty Owens)

“For the five Magdalene women who are also interned on the grounds, Mary Sheehan, Margaret Spillane, Elizabeth O’Callaghan, Ann Cearan and Mary Sheehan, the four red candles represent the four provinces of Ireland. May their gentle souls Rest in Peace, amen.”

Bishop Ray Browne who kindly offered a donation for this memorial was also present and blessed the memorial.

“His words meant a lot,” Miriam added.

A letter from President Michael D Higgins was also read out by Rebekah Wall.

It read that the president;

“……..is deeply saddened to learn of the experience described in your email, during a truly dark time in the history of Ireland. As a society we must never forget the terror of industrial schools, the horrifying cruelty and deprivation at these institutions”.

Miriam’s nephew Martin Hurley wrote the song and music ‘REBORN’, which was also played. Mark Leen sang his own version of ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow’ at the closing ceremony.

“The tree was swaying as he was singing it. The songs were specially chosen for the event.”

Patricia Carey, a special advocate for survivors across Ireland, was also in attendance.

Miriam added that herself, Margaret and Rebekah want to thank everyone who came out for this special occasion.

“From the bottom of our hearts we also want to sincerely thank Paddy Garvey and the committee from Baile Mhuire from day one who was one hundred percent behind this. We are grateful for allowing us to have this memorial at Nazareth House. For everyone who was involved in making this day, especially all media outlets, we sincerely thank you.”