Remembering what they can never forget

: Memorialisation of historical institutional abuse in Ireland

Abstract

This thesis examines memorialisation as a response to historical institutional abuse (HIA) in Ireland, North and South. Public inquiries into HIA in both jurisdictions have drawn on aspects of the transitional justice reparative framework to recommend memorialisation. Yet there is minimal knowledge of what memorialisation means to victims/survivors of HIA. Field research conducted throughout Ireland collected the views of victims/survivors - particularly those committed to Magdalene Laundries and mother and baby institutions - as well as professionals in this area, to provide original insights into victim-centred remembrance. Drawing upon their voices, this thesis explores the complexities of remembering the causes and consequences of HIA, particularly as regards the role of religion and the problematic Church/State relations underpinning the wrongdoing; societal complicity in the harms; and the identities of victims/survivors in relation to Church, State and society both in the past and present. The constituent elements of legitimate memorialisation are examined in terms of truth, acknowledgement, accountability, non-recurrence, and victim/survivor voice. The possibilities and limits of memorial processes to address the grief and harms experienced by victims/survivors and their families are also explored, particularly the link between victims’/survivors’ stories and transitional justice truth-telling processes. In the broader domain of transitional justice, this thesis provides insights into the nature of the ‘transition’ in Ireland, North and South, as well as the importance of victim-centred, holistic redress for HIA.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2027

Date of Award	Dec 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Northern Ireland Department for the Economy
Supervisor	Heather Conway (Supervisor) & Anne-Marie McAlinden (Supervisor)