Maureen Harte’s earliest memory is of watching the woman she believed to be her mother walk away and abandon her to the care of the nuns at one of Ireland’s notorious industrial schools. She was just three years old. She would remain in the orphanage until the age of sixteen, subjected to cruelty and neglect, and starved of love and affection.
One of her closest friends was taken away to an asylum after her spirit was broken by repeated beatings and Maureen herself faced a constant battle against despair. It was an environment from which none would emerge unscathed. Throughout these tormented years, Maureen dreamt only of escape, and when she was contacted again by her mammy she believed all her dreams were about to come true.
Life in the outside world brought its own challenges, however, and Maureen was thrown into turmoil when she discovered that the truth about her past was more murky than she had ever realised. “Annie’s Girl” stands apart as a poignant testimony to the resilience of the human heart. This touching and evocative memoir is the incredible story of an illegitimate industrial school survivor’s profound struggle to overcome a shame-filled past and solve the mystery of her origins.
- Publisher: Mainstream Publishing
- Edition: Paperback
- ISBN: 9781845964931
- ISBN13: 9781845964931
- Weight: 590g
- Dimensions: 154mm x 232mm
- Category: Books / Biographies & Memoirs / Biographies & Memoirs
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Customer Reviews
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audrey smith
25 August 2009
just put this book down and only because I have just finished reading it!
Congratulations to Maureen, a true survivor. The cruelty of the so called "Sisters of Mercy" is unforgiveable! Typical of the "Nazi Regieme" towards children who needed the most help with their unfortunate circumstances of that time and age in Ireland! Maureen's parcel at the orphanage was her key to her future and her success. Nobody can walk through life unscathed after abuse of the likes Maureen was forced to go through. She spoke for all the abused children of Ireland in this brilliant book. Through Maureen's loss of a childhood and a family she has gained other wonderful gifts, one being the gift to retell her story in a brave 'not feel sorry for myself tale'. Well done you! -
audrey smith
18 September 2009
I bought this book to read over a few evenings but I couldn't put it down and
unfortunately finished it in just two sittings! Congratulations to Maureen, a survivor during hard times when children were supposed to be neither seen or heard. Maureen was 'raised' by the Sisters of 'Mercy'. She raised herself and the Sisters had no mercy. Her parcel was the key to her future and opened many doors and secrets for her. Through this great book Maureen found a voice for all the children who were abandoned during these harsh times in Ireland. A childhood lost is a terrible crime on those who took something so precious and wrecked havoc on that precious thing.Well done Maureen.
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Miriam Rowan
09 July 2010
Hi Maureen,
I had a call from my sister Anita Hanley in Longford re. your book. As a past pupil of the Sec. School in Newtownforbes I am very interested in reading your book. I spent 2 years as a boarder there 1961 and 1962 and sat my leaving cert. in 1963. Each Christmas the nuns would ask us to prepare a gift for the orphans and I always got a present for Angela Kavanagh. I tried to find her on the internet and I also joined Friends United but no luck. I also remember the "orphans" being marched up and down the cloister near we had our classrooms but they never joined us for classes. I also remember the day a beautiful little girl arrived in the orphanage and she has a long blonde plait. She looked extremely sad. We were never allowed to mix so we never got to know the girls. I will try and get your book over the week-end. Miriam Rowan (McLoughlin).
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