Remembering what they can never forget: memorialisation of historical institutional abuse in Ireland

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.