Whispering Hope - Nancy's Story

Electronic book text

The True Story of the Magdalene Women

"At the conclusion of my discussions with one group of the Magdalene Women one of those present sang 'Whispering Hope'. A line from that song stays in my mind - 'when the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day'.

Let me hope that this day and this debate heralds a new dawn for all those who feared that the dark midnight might never end."

- Taoiseach Enda Kenny's State apology to the Magdalene women.

On 19 February 2013 the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologised to the women who had been incarcerated in Ireland's Magdalene laundries. And listening patiently for the words she'd been fighting to hear was Nancy Costello.

For Nancy was only 10 years old when she was confined at the Good Shepherd Sundays Well Magdalene laundry in Cork in 1949. From there she was sent to laundries in Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. The harrowing physical and psychological abuse she endured in the institutions, run on behalf of the State, led to a lifetime of shame and secrecy.

Now, in WHISPERING HOPE, Nancy tells her story for the first time. Her fight for justice and forged friendships with other survivors has enabled her to move forward and have her voice heard in this immensely powerful narrative that shines a light on a dark chapter in Ireland's history.

Inspirational and moving, this is the story of a remarkable woman brave enough to confront her past and strong enough to not let it define her.