Sins of the Mother (32 page)

Acknowledgements

FROM IRENE
:

I would like to thank my lovely GP who got me the help I needed, the doctors, nurses and social workers from the hospital, my counsellor – who is a wonderful lady –
and most important of all, all the people who helped me get this book out there – thank you all so much! And thanks to Matt and my wonderful children for making my life better.

Growing up was sometimes hard and very lonely, but as I’ve grown older and got to know my brothers and sister, they have become more than my siblings, they are my best
friends. They are my escape, my safe place when I need a break. I am so proud that they are my family because without them there would be something missing in my heart.

My dad was and always will be my first love. As a child I adored him, despite his lack of affection. I didn’t understand why back then but today I realize it’s because, although he
didn’t hug me or tuck me in at night, he never left my side. He left a whole life behind for me and most of all he saved my mum from a life she thought she would never escape. Although I
don’t follow him around with the same puppy dog eyes, I respect and love him. I am proud of the changes he made to better himself because without those changes I wouldn’t have achieved
what I have in life.

My mother will never truly know how much I love her. She is my inspiration, she is my entire world. At the age of twenty-two I still call her when I’m sick or upset and she never turns me
away. She scoops me up as if I was a baby again and in that moment everything is okay. I’m so proud of her for everything she has achieved. There is nothing that gives me more happiness in
this world than when I look at my mum and she is happy. She deserves the world and I’ll never give up trying to give it to her.

Lastly, Katy, I never thought my mum would get her chance to tell her story and like a little ray of sunshine on a miserable day you appeared. You have given my mum more than anything in this
world, you have given her a voice and now she can release her demons. You’ll never truly know what you have done for us and we will never forget you. You are a true friend for life, thank
you.

Information and Advice

The Ryan Report is available to read and download at: www.childabusecommission.ie

Amnesty International Ireland’s 2011 report
In Plain Sight,
which assessed the abuse of Irish children in State institutions, and the State’s responses to
them, against the standards dictated by international human rights law, is available at: www.amnesty.ie/content/plain-sight

Support for Irish survivors of institutional abuse

living in Britain:

www.irishsurvivorsinbritain.org

Promotes and represents the interests of Magdalene survivors:

www.magdalenelaundries.com

Offers support, information and guidance on all issues

relating to mental health:

www.mind.org.uk

A free, confidential counselling service open 24 hours a day,

365 days a year:

www.samaritans.org or call 08457 90 90 90

To read some of Irene Kelly’s poetry please visit her web-page: poeticpicturesirenekelly.wordpress.com

For more information about Katy Weitz visit: www.ghost-writer4hire.org

First published 2015 by Pan Books

This electronic edition published 2015 by Pan Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com

ISBN 978-1-4472-9152-7

Copyright © Irene Kelly and Katy Weitz 2015

Design ©
blacksheep-uk.com
Figure © Alamy
Dublin dwellings © Gerry Smith

The rights of Irene Kelly and Katy Weitz to be identified as the authors of this work have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.

The names in this book have been changed, including St Grace’s orphanage, because in accepting compensation from the Redress Board, Irene Kelly was banned from
publishing the identities of her abusers and the institution where the abuse took place. Failure to obey this prohibition, which is enshrined in the Irish government’s Residential
Institutions Redress Act of 2002, could result in a prison sentence for victims of abuse.

Pan Macmillan does not have any control over, or any responsibility for, any author or third party websites referred to in or on this book.

You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital,
optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be
liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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