Vigil and Memorial for Peter Tyrrell

We are holding a Candlelit Vigil and Memorial to honour Peter Tyrrell,

We want to honour him and the unique legacy of his testimony of life in Letterfrack Industrial School, in Connemara and his campaign to change a culture. The Vigil is to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the publication of the Ryan and Murphy Reports, that confirmed the systemic abuse of children in Irish Catholic Institutions for 70 years that Peter had campaigned against. The Vigil is open to everyone to show support for all survivors. :

The event itself is free, but please register as numbers are limited:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vigil-for-peter-tyrrell-on-10th-anniversary-of-ryan-report-tickets-57798653328

We are raising funds to cover the costs of running the event . Connie Roberts award winning poet and survivor had planned to come, but can't, and will participate on video reciting her powerful poem "Letterfrack Man" written in praise of Peter Tyrrell at the Vigil. Her work, like his, expresses historical and emotional truth of the past and its living consequences. It's vitally important for the wider community to show collective recognition of the harm and injustice, and to support survivors. The whole of society needs take part in a process of reflection, recognition, remembrance, with survivors.

https://connierobertspoet.com/2016/04/20/recent-news/

Peter Tyrrell’s book " Founded on Fear: Letterfrack Industrial School, War and Exile" , was launched at the National Library by Mary Raftery in 2006, 39 years after he set fire to himself on Hampstead Heath. It is a remarkable and important book, from a remarkable and important man, who deserves wider recognition in Irish History. It went beyond personal testimony advocating for a radical change in Irish society, to end silence, shame and secrecy of the degradation of children. But Peter's passionate desire to risk exposure and tell the truth, cost him dearly.

Letterfrack Man

One day I will go to Hampstead heath

to read his postscript.....

I will stand a long time;

weep that it took so long for his

match to spark a revolution.

Peter was writing private and public complaints about Letterfrack in the 1950s, which were investigated in the Ryan report, where he is given the indignity of a pseudonym Noah Kitterick.

   http://im2.studioaad.webfactional.com/ryan-report/report/actor/Noah+Kitterick/88?page=1

Peter tried to bring a change to a culture of lies and silence, a change that is still needed. The truth is still emerging, of what happened in the Magdelen Laundries, the Mother and Baby Homes, the deprivation of children of their identities, origins, families and sense of belonging.

It will be an opportunity to hear Peter's testimony from his book and to reflect, with music and poetry. The funds raised will pay for the hiring the hall, refreshments , and arranging the candlelit vigil. Conrad Bryan, London based member of the Mother and Baby Home Collaborative Forum, and Sadie Cramer, creative force behind the first Candlelit Vigil for the 796 Tuam Babies will also speak at the Vigil.