The Real-Life Philomena and the Magdalene Laundries

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  1. Irish Mother & Baby Home survivors: The survivors of the Irish Mother & Baby Homes are individuals who were born to unmarried women and placed in institutions run by the Catholic Church and the state in Ireland during the 20th century. These institutions were intended to house and care for women who were pregnant and unmarried, but they were often places of neglect, abuse, and mistreatment.

  2. Report uncovers 9,000 deaths: In January 2021, the Irish government published a report known as the “Mother and Baby Homes Report,” which uncovered the deaths of approximately 9,000 children who were born in these institutions between 1922 and 1998. The report revealed widespread mortality rates that were significantly higher than the national average, indicating a high rate of infant mortality and neglect in these homes.

  3. The Real “Philomena” and her daughter, Jane: The story of Philomena Lee and her daughter Jane is the basis for the 2013 film “Philomena.” Philomena Lee was an Irish woman who became pregnant out of wedlock in the 1950s and was sent to a Mother & Baby Home. Her son was forcibly adopted by an American couple, and Philomena spent years searching for him. In reality, Philomena Lee’s child was a son, not a daughter, as depicted in the film. The story of Philomena Lee and her search for her son brought attention to the issue of forced adoptions and the treatment of unmarried mothers in Ireland’s Mother & Baby Homes.

1 – 2015 Top 25: Gala Keynote by Philomena Lee

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29 jun. 2015

2 Philomena – Winner American Airlines Best International Film IFTA 2014

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22 apr. 2014

Winner: Philomena Accepted by: Philomena Lee and Steve Coogan Presented By: Gráinne Seoige

3 Real-Life ‘Philomena’: Journey to the Vatican

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6 feb. 2014

Subject of the Oscar-nominated film reflects on giving up her son for adoption and forgiveness.
 
AveMaria82100
I think it is absolutely disgusting that this scandal ever happened and I say that as a devout and orthodox Roman Catholic. I definitely condemn the actions of the nuns who caused this to happen. But even though I was not affected by the scandal in a personal way, I do forgive them. I do hope that Pope Francis allows the adoption records to be opened so that the now grown up children can be reunited with their parents. I think that this action by Pope Francis would go a long way in healing the wounds caused to many by these grievous actions.
Ayush Singh
I saw this movie when I had no one to compare her to. I still don’t think that I’ll be able to feel the pain that she felt, but now that I have a nephew about the same age and thinking of him be there breaks my heart, I’d go into a manic episode if if it happens to me. And to think she met the leader of the cult that did this to her and many other mothers and him being so shameless to see and stand in front of her, shame.
Elizabeth Di Francesca
She did not “give her child up”…unwed  mothers were locked away, insulted and harmed she was restricted from her child for 3 yrs and then they took the child away. It was 1950..and it was still going on for many years even the Phoenix Az Catholic hospital and church in the 70’s Chicago my aunt was tormented to the point they gave her electric shocks…………..they were abusive and evil and even in the US they tried to force you to give up a child and got mad and punishing if you said no.
MoiraPettifr712
How I wish I could go back to talk to the nuns from my 2nd and 3rd grades. A few of us to visited the convent a few yrs ago, but the nuns had disappeared, gone into hiding. We simply wanted to ask ‘why were you guys so cruel? What was your reasoning to be so cruel?’
maria alfaro
The Pope must have opened the files the day after Philomena, went to the Vatican. This is unforgivable. and all the nuns that knew this, all the foster parents all the system should apologise to this naive and helpless young ladies, now grandmothers. Poor souls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Urfa berwari
I will remember this breakhurte story for evere i can’t forget 🥺🥺
IgnacioAgramonte
HOW SHE LIVED?, I WOULD HAVE DIE FROM A HEART ATTACK.
Denisa Be
when I watched the movie – I cried and I watched the second time and I cried again … I will not judge anyone, God will do it .. I would just like to hug a mom who had to survive this and yet she remained so strong and did not lose faith .. admirable , amazing and beautiful woman … Philomena I believe that your son loved and felt you all his life and never forgot you. May you at least be warmed by the knowledge that you have given the world such a nice, hard-working, successful son , who has lived his life happily and successfully. Honor his memory . Love from Slovakia .
Jacqueline Farrell
It didn’t stop at these women they went on to have children and they was affected by life the story doesn’t stop here!!! I know because I’m dealing with it. Being a child of a maddline mother
Debbie Longo
How could a young girl know anything about life when here Mother passed when she was six sent away to live she sort the most natural of emotions someone to hod and love her . Shameful the catholic Church
Ana Ana
Anyone knows if Steve dahlhof ( partner of Michael hess ) is still alive or not ? I can’t find anything about this..
Charles Bohnhoff
A church that supposes to follow the teachings of Jesus, sure has done horrible things to people for centuries, when are they going to apologise to the world.
Patrick coey
someone please answer me if u have watched the movie is it real if it is her child might really be dead
Manuela Darazsdi
that’s why the cult keeps going…
Cj C
She is not a devoted catholic. She has stated that in interviews. Half of the shit reported here is lies

4 Movies For Grownups FF – Philomena – Philomena Lee Interview (2013)

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4 dec. 2013

 
DerickE
Can’t remember when anything good came out of Religion. I just remember some good people who believed it because they couldn’t read.
 
 
 

5 Oscar-nominated ‘Philomena’ Tells Story of Loss and Forgiveness

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21 feb. 2014

Stephen Frears’ Oscar-nominated drama “Philomena” tells the true story of Irish-Catholic Philomena Lee. Fifty years ago, as a pregnant teenager, Lee was disowned by her family and sent to a local convent. There, she was forced her to give up her child for adoption. She never saw him again. Now, just a few weeks before the Academy Awards, the real Philomena is using her newfound fame to help others find their lost children. VOA’s Penelope Poulou has more.

6 Forgiveness: from Philomena

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2 feb. 2015

…the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. T. S. Eliot
 
kaalomai.com
 
 

7 Dame Judi Dench Interview Philomena Premiere

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17 okt. 2013

Dame Judi Dench Interview Philomena Premiere
 
David Gantt
Brilliant movie.  Perfection, really.  Dench must get an Oscar for this film. Definitely a front-runner for many Oscars.
Sharon Sutton
Steve Coogan and Judi Dench – total Legends! Philomena Lee – heartbroken for her but so happy her story is out there to help others.
Yakeen
Can somebody just keep that Meryl Streep at home for at least the next 3-4 years and let the sweet Judi Dench win the Oscar this year. I went to the film today and she was such a delight to watch. A beautiful real-life movie.
bella246able
Bravo for doing this Dame Judi. You are my long time favorite.
Claire Smith
Judi, brilliant as ever. Steve was brilliant serious actor, hope to see more.
Susan Sharp
I just loved this movie and i just love Judi Dench
dreamie
AMAZING movie!!! AMAZING Judi Dench!!! So INTO the real life character!!!
Jane Hummel
You validated my childhood fears I was born there in 1951 and left in 1952 to Chicago and was visited by Bishop Lane on a monthly basis all through my grade school years. I am not ready to forgive the nuns or the Church since they still harbor pedophile priests and I have had clergy in my family so I don’t come by this opinion lightly.
S L
really good movie and really great acting.
Cyndi Foore
So much respect for Judy Dench, and Philomina.
Olena Yangazova
Brilliant movie, brilliant Judy Dench!!
tree top
Couldn’t stand Steve Coogan till I saw this., He should drop comedy and tun to serious acting. He was absolutely brilliant in this.

8 Magdalene Laundries: Our World, BBC News Channel 27-09-14

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9 The Magdalene Laundries Ireland – ‘ Magdalene Survivors Together’ campaign

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17 feb. 2010
 
Magdalene Survivors in Ireland marching for justice in Co. Carlow Ireland, 21st September 2009.
 
Dianne Kilic
Just hearing about this and was shocked to hear that these were still in existence until 1976!!!!    It seems Victorian!   I will find a way to help support these survivors ….. BTW, loved the singers voice.   Does anyone know her name?
Sheva Burton
beautiful song , sharing and hoping you get some justice, not that it will excuse, what happened, it should not have, the pain and suffering is clear to see, so sorry this happened
 
Seán Ó Sirideán
Fair play to all concerned! Tragedy and shame of our country needs to be shown for what it was,state sponsored cruelty and thuggery! Seán in Belfast!
Rosemary Lawler
Disgraceful the way these women were treated they deseve an apology and compensation for all the hard work the done
jo jo
You should sue the Church..they knew what was going on….
Dehzee
What an embarrassment on the Irish people that so few showed for this march and ceremony. Whose spell is Ireland under?
Conor Spillane
Why don’t you bring your case to the European Court of Human Rights I contacted them about ye. I complained that they were going after Ireland over peat bogs and island with a former steel mill but not 30000 women and children held in slavery and a considerable number were worked to death. They have said they will investigate if application, complaint is made they know about but they do not start investigate without somebody calling them
Feminism Debunked
The Pope Refuses too say sorry for this. This makes me so Angry.

10 WASTED LIVES Released in 1972 – part 1

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11 DP/30: The Real “Philomena” and her daughter, Jane

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29 nov. 2013

Judi Dench stars in Philomena, the true-life story of Philomena Lee, who is searching for her son who was sold to Americas in Ireland by the nuns who took her in when she became an unmarried pregnant woman. The movie (directed by Stephen Frears and co-written and co-starring Steve Coogan) is getting loving reviews and word-of-mouth. But here is the opportunity to meet the real Philomena Lee, accompanied by her daughter Jane. They spoke to David Poland about the movie, the real experience, and the differences.
 
Shot in Los Angeles, October 2013
 
 

12 Mother and Baby Homes Final Report: Video dramatisation of individuals’ stories

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12 jan. 2021

Watch a video featuring stories from those who were resident in Mother and Baby Homes.

13 – 2021 – Irish Mother & Baby Home survivors tell their story.

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In première gegaan op 14 jan. 2021

The 2021 Mother and Baby report concluded that the homes provided a refuge. The survivors tell a different story.
 
The testimonies of these three survivors and many more and included in the book – Republic of Shame
 
Author – Caelainn Hogan
Directed by Dave O Carroll
Cinematography by Philip Blake
Music by Dave O Carroll

14 – Ireland’s ‘Mother & Baby Homes’ Report Uncovers 9,000 Deaths

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15 jan. 2021

A new report uncovered that an estimated 9,000 children died inside ‘mother and baby homes’ that were investigated in Ireland — now this man is on a mission to find out what happened to his baby sister.
 
 

15 Tuam Ireland’s Shame Documentary

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19 jun. 2014

Directed and edited by Marcus Howard. The Tuam Mother and Baby scandal is one of the darker chapters in Ireland’s history which has only recently come to light. This independent documentary looks at some of the international media reaction to the Tuam scandal as well as poignant speeches and music from the Justice For The Tuam Babies March and Vigil from June 11th. The names of the 796 babies are also featured.
Many groups are calling for a full independent investigation into Catholic and Protestant run mother and baby homes in Ireland both north and south of the border. Colm O’Gorman from Amnesty International Ireland, Gary Daly for the Justice For The Tuam Babies, the Adoption Rights Alliance, Niall Meehan and the Bethany Home Survivors Group, the Aislinn Education and Support Centre, Survivors And Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA) feature as well as speeches and songs from Liam Ó’Maonlaí, Mary Coughlan, Don Baker, Francie O’Brien and The Discovery Gospel Choir.
 
 

16 ArtsEd – The Magdalene Sisters

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25 feb. 2011

by Peter Mullan
Bernadette- Amy Waugh
Rose- Katy Wale
Brendon- Joshua Hayes
Crispina- Jessica Francis
With Helen Masters as Sister Bridget

Director- Michael Bray
Producer- Joy Harrison
Editor- Robert Hamilton
D.O.P- Max Williams

Filmed For Educational Purposes Only.

 

ArtsEd – The Magdalene Sisters – Blog

 

17 Catherine Connolly: Tuam Mother and Baby Home 08.03.17

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8 mrt. 2017

Today at leaders’ questions Catherine raised the Tuam mother and baby home with the Taoiseach

18 Reel Pieces: Steve Coogan with Annette Insdorf on Philomena

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13 nov. 2013

 
Following a preview Philomena, Steve Coogan talks with Annette Insdorf, director of Undergraduate Film Studies at Columbia University. The popular British comedian co-wrote, produced and co-stars with Judi Dench in Philomena. He is best known in England as “Alan Partridge,” a narcissistic radio and television presenter whose character he created. Coogan has appeared in films including What Maisie Knew, In the Loop, Tropic Thunder, 24 Hour Party People, Night at the Museum and Marie Antoinette.
 
TuiAway
I love how Coogan sums up what he says about accepting other people’s views regardless of your own beliefs… “You don’t have to win the argument”… That’s an important lesson to learn for many of us. A peace of mind is so much easier to live with than lifelong despising. Gosh I admire him. Making that film was the best idea of the decade.
V Gray
Such a beautiful man – this interview reveals this further. His views on Catholicism are so respectful, we could all learn a thing or two from this lapsed Catholic.
Kelly Clark
“it’s about a journey, where they don’t find what they’re looking for but they learn things about themselves, about life…” I love that!
Steve Sandford
Coogan proves his Excellence, Eloquence and Empathy in this I/V. Always evident in his comedy, his exploring a ‘straight’ (???) story shines further light on a very considerable writing and acting talent. One day, he’ll be know for this talent, instead of just as the brother of the lead singer of The Mock Turtles. IRONY! Very informing I/V. Nice Post, TY. xx SF
Silvia Giebitz
unfortunately you don’t seem to know what this is all about.But this is related to an amazing story. I don’t want to judge you by your language but may be you are not the kind of person that would care for it anyways…Check out the story of Philomena, a woman that lost a child taken from her in an institution for single mothers.Great story. 
PurushaDesa
She didn’t need to casually spoil Skyfall for the whole audience when telling that story.
TheOneWho Yawns
Steve how are you half Irish if your mother was born in Ireland and your fathers parents were Irish?
Terry Byrne
Saying that people who have faith are basically people who believe in fairies in a garden is offensive Steve. Likewise, that people have ‘simple faith’ – sounds demeaning. I’ve liked everything you’ve ever done from Paul Calf to Partridge. All atheists may not be the enlightened ones. They certainly like to feel they are.

19 Destroying Phones Prank

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Unearthing the truth

Unearthing the truth More

French Catholic Church inquiry

Justice for Magdalenes

Current page

Fallen women