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Tasks: The Magdalene Laundries in Ireland

The odd one out:

Work in groups.

Study the images. Three of the images have something in common; one is different. Explain which image is the odd one out, and what the other three have in common. (There may be more than one correct solution.)

Remember to use a capital letter:

When we refer to religions, we always use a capital letter:

  • He is Catholic.

  • The second largest religion in the world is Islam.

  • For Mormons, missionary work is important.

Discuss:

  1. What does the text tell us about the position the Catholic church has had in the Irish society?

  2. What norms and rules do you expect to find in a society where women are punished for having sex and getting pregnant out of wedlock?

  3. Does it surprise you that the Magdalene laundries existed until the 1990s?

  4. What do you know about Irish society today?

Research:

Choose one of the following topics to research. Present your findings in class or in a group.

  • Catholic schools in Ireland

  • Catholicism in Ireland today

  • Same-sex marriage in Ireland

  • Abortion in Ireland

  • Sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church in Ireland

Write:

Choose one of the tasks and write a longer text.

  1. Write a short story about someone who has experienced the Magdalene Laundries.

  2. Write a factual text about the topic of women's rights in Ireland.

Sing:

Ireland has a rich tradition of folk songs, and singing together is common in social gatherings. 'Molly Malone' is the unofficial anthem of the city of Dublin.

Study the lyrics, listen to a recording of the song, and sing it together in groups or in class.

Link to performance of 'Molly Malone' by the Dubliners: Youtube: 'Molly Malone'

Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussles)

In Dublin's fair city
Where girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying 'Cockles and mussels! Alive, Alive Oh!'

'Alive, alive Oh! Alive, alive Oh!'
Crying, 'Cockles and mussels! Alive, Alive Oh!'

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheeled their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying 'Cockles and mussels! Alive, Alive Oh!

Alive, alive Oh! Alive, alive Oh!'
Crying, 'Cockles and mussels! Alive, Alive Oh!'

She died of a fever,
And no one could save her,
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone,
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying 'Cockles and mussels! Alive, alive Oh!'

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