Magdalene Laundry survivors invited to Áras an Uachtaráin for commemorative event

The event is the first of its kind to ever happen.

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins will host a historic gathering of over 220 survivors of the Magdalene Laundries at a special reception at Áras an Uachtaráin in June.

For the first-time, survivors of the Magdalene Laundries from Ireland, the UK, the USA and Australia are being brought together in Dublin for two days on Tuesday 5 June and Wednesday 6 June.

The gathering, being organised by a voluntary group, Dublin Honours Magdalenes (DHM), is aimed at fulfilling two key aspects of the Magdalene Restorative Justice Scheme - to bring together Magdalene Laundry survivors to share experiences, and to gather the women’s views on how the Magdalene Laundries should be remembered by future generations.

Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, issued the initial invitation to survivors on behalf of DHM and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mícheál MacDonncha.

The majority of those affected by the Laundries are now aged between their late 70s to early 90s, and this is the first time they have been invited to come together to share stories, experiences and offer their views on how they would like to be commemorated.

For many of those travelling from abroad, this will be their first time to return home to Ireland since they left after their confinement in the Magdalene Laundry.

As well as being hosted by President Higgins and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, the group will also attend a Gala Dinner at The Mansion House in Dublin on the same evening. They will be welcomed by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD and Lord Mayor MacDonncha.

A number of well-known Irish entertainers will also be performing over the course of the two nights for everyone in attendance, including Christy Moore, Mary Byrne, Róisín O, Philomena Begley, The Three Tenors Ireland, Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon, and actor Pauline McLynn.

The cast of Riverdance are also set to take to the stage of the Citywest Hotel on the night of 6 June to perform for those who've travelled, as well as the Hot House Flowers, who are set to perform at Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday 5 June.

In 2013, the McAleese Report found that the State was directly involved in the confinement and forced labour of over 10,000 girls and women in Magdalene Laundries. State officials referred over 25% of the girls and women to the laundries, and the State funded and held laundry service contracts with the institutions while failing to inspect living conditions or requiring wages to be paid.

Then Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny, T.D., offered the official State apology for these abuses on 19 February 2013.

Businesswoman, broadcaster and Dublin Honours Magdalenes Ambassador, Norah Casey, said on Friday that what will be an emotional gathering is the result of many weeks of work in reaching out to survivors and organising their travel to Ireland.

“Over the past several weeks we have spoken to hundreds of women who will attend the event," Casey said.

"Each and every one has their own powerful story. What is especially poignant is the fact many will be returning to Ireland for the first time since they left after their Magdalene Laundry experiences, so it will be a very emotional event for them.

“As the majority of the women are now elderly many will be accompanied by carers or family members. This is an important step towards reparation for women, many who will be sharing their stories for the first time with other survivors," she concluded.