Proposed Magdalene laundry museum encounters objections

A knitted child’s sock tied to the front door of the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott St, Dublin, File picture: Julien Behal

Plans for a Magdalene laundry museum which is to be housed in the centre of Dublin have triggered objections, including the fact it will see the removal of high boundary walls which are "part of Dublin's history".

In July 2023, the Government approved plans for a “national site of conscience” to open at the former Magdalene laundry on Seán McDermott St.

The proposal said the site  would "provide digital access to records and exhibits, as well as developing physical presences elsewhere to enable survivors to visit more easily".

A planning application has been submitted by the OPW to Dublin City Council, but has attracted a number of objections, criticising the location, design, and intent of the site.

In one observation, Cork-based architects and campaigners Frank O'Connor and Jude Sherry request an oral hearing on the site based on the removal of the facility's high walls.

"The current plans involve significant destruction of the built infrastructure of the Our Lady of Charity site well known for its high boundary walls," the campaigners write.

A planning application has been submitted by the OPW to Dublin City Council, but has attracted a number of objections, criticising the location, design, and intent of the site.

"The ‘demolition of existing site boundaries and external walls’ and ‘the removal of existing boundary walls and entrance gates to Railway Street’ will erase visual indicators of this site as a carceral institution. 

"These walls are part of Dublin and part of the history of the site; they should not be ‘removed’ without a thorough examination of the appropriateness of such destruction."

Cork woman Maureen Considine wrote there has been "limited national discussion and there is little awareness of this project nationally", adding that many survivors knew little of the project. 

She said that "serious engagement with the Ryan Report recommendation that 'lessons should be learned' about 'failures of systems and policy, of management and administration…' should have given pause, or guidance, to those involved in the design process".

However, the plan was welcomed by the Dublin City Community Co-op and former Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe, who said that the site has "witnessed centuries of occupation, tumult, distress, detention, and suffering" and that it is "important that the new uses on the site bring healing and hope".

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said the site would see a new family resource centre and age-friendly housing.

"It is important to note that the planning application relates to the overall, high-level, building design and structure. 

"Detail on what will be contained in the main National Centre buildings is not yet decided and work with survivors and affected persons is ongoing in relation to what they would like to see as part of museum exhibits."