'A remarkable woman': Tributes paid as mother and baby home survivor Rosie McKinney laid to rest

Rosie McKinney's daughter, Mags, centre, with Maureen Sulliven, left ,the youngest Magdalene survivor, and Joe Costello at the funeral of Rosie McKinney. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins 

The funeral Mass of one of the oldest survivors and campaigners for justice for the Tuam mother and baby home has heard she was “never broken by her life experiences”.

Rosaleen (Rosie) McKinney, nee Furey, 86, was laid to rest on Monday morning, following her requiem Mass at Christ the King Church in Cabra, north Dublin.

A photo of Rosie McKinney, who died following a short illness on New Year’s Day. Picture: Gareth Chaney

Rosie, who grew up in Dunmore in Co Galway, was just 15 when she was placed in the controversial institution for unmarried mothers.

Two of her children were taken by the nuns and adopted, while a third died — she did reconnect with her children in later years.

On Monday morning, parish priest Fr Paul Thornton said it was fitting the “brave mother who contributed so much to society” was buried on Nollaig na mBan — Women’s Christmas.

About 200 people attended the service for Rosie, who died following a short illness on New Year’s Day.

Her lifelong friend and former Labour minister Joe Costello delivered a powerful eulogy, where he recalled how Rosie described the nuns as “devils and merciless”.

He said: “Rosie was remarkable woman. Much of her early life was hard and harsh. She described some of the nuns in the institutions where she was placed as quote ‘devils’ unquote and merciless but she equally acknowledged the kindness of other nuns."

Breaking down in tears, Mr Costello said: “Rosie was never broken by her life experiences. What life threw at her she simply took it all in her stride.

She encountered more obstacles in life than most. She faced up to them and she overcame them.

“She never complained. Most importantly there was no self-pity. She never saw herself as a victim. That was her strength and her character."

Rosie is survived by her daughter, Margaret “Mags” McKinney, and her stepson Tony McKinney, as well as her grandchildren, relatives and wide circle of friends.

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik at the funeral. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins 

Offertory gifts during the service included a radio, because Rosie “hated the telly” but loved music and listening to the news.

Her hairbrush was also brought to the altar by family as well as her favourite snack popcorn and a teddy bear.

Former tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party Joan Burton brought up the ‘Thirst for Justice Award’ which was presented to Ms McKinney by the party in recent years in recognition of her bravery as a campaigner and activist for survivors of mother and baby homes.

Maureen Sullivan, the youngest Magdalene Laundry survivor, at the funeral: 'Rosie was a legend and so resilient in the face of adversity. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins 

Ms Burton is also a survivor and adoptee and as former minister for social protection, she released the names of the 796 children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home following the expose of their mass grave in a septic tank in 2014.

Ms Kinney’s funeral was also attended by Magdalene survivor Maureen Sullivan, who recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show regarding her life the former New Ross laundry.

She told the Irish Examiner: “Rosie was a legend and so resilient in the face of adversity. She was a great campaigner and even in her older years, she laid a wreath for the unmarked graves in St Mary’s cemetery in Carlow.

“She also took part in a guard of honour at the funeral procession for Sinéad O’Connor in Bray in 2023, Sinéad a survivor of a Magdalene laundry.” 

Rosie was born in 1938 and grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland and was “particularly fond of the farm horse and dogs” her Mass heard.

However, her “life changed forever” when as a single woman, she became pregnant and was placed in the Tuam mother and baby home.

Joe Costello said: “She was then taken to the Magdalene Laundry in Galway City, eventually she and another girl escaped from the laundry by clambering over the wall and walking all night to reach her home in Dunmore.

They were taken in by her parents and when shortly afterwards the nuns and gardaí came looking to take them back, she threatened her dogs on them and they left empty handed.

She later moved to Dublin and into another Regina Coeli, the hostel for women run by the Legion of Mary, before she met her husband Thomas McKinney — a former Irish soldier, and widower with one son Tony.

Over the next two decades, Rosie and her daughter Mags worked tirelessly with Joe Costello to bring about legislation to provide redress and support for survivors.

“She campaigned for a remembrance centre which is under way at Sean MacDermot former laundry", said Mr Costello.

Ms McKinney's remains were later brought to Glasnevin crematorium where Nóirín Bán and Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ were played during the ceremony.