Can our secrets and promises ever be reconciled?
by Frank Brehany
She could have been you, she could have been any woman; the tragedy was hers.
She's waited 94 years to have her story told.
She could have been you, she could have been any woman; the tragedy was hers.
She's waited over 94 years to have her story told.
A Magdalene Rose asks whether secrets and promises, when they are part of Ireland’s Scaradh Magdalen, can ever be reconciled?
This is the remarkable true story of four Irish people, flowing from the birth of a child, his marriage, and a wife who became the guardian of his secrets. We discover a mother, incarcerated without due process for 42 years, and a father who suffered loss and isolation. Love is forbidden.
A promise to find truth and justice reveals that incarceration, dogma, and indifference towards a vulnerable life, leads to the stunning realisation that a mother’s death is cheap, untruthful, and disrespectful.
The stories of four lives delivers love, betrayal, joy, tears, and discovery of what it is to be human, to be Irish. It is a story of Ireland and of a Magdalene Rose and many women like her. Join them on their final journey home.
“"A fabulous book; I don't want it to end"”
BF - Ireland
“"The story made me stop everything...I have been glued to it...It pains my heart"”
JK - Ireland
“"This book is such an incredible read...The fact it is based in truth about the lives of this family makes it all the more compelling. Beautifully written with love and compassion and determination to find out the truth of these incredible people is heart touching"”
DW - Ireland
“"I cried my way through the letter to your mom...very powerful indeed"”
JA - USA
“"Nearly finished A Magdalene Rose and I am thoroughly enjoying it...Better than any 'Long Lost Family' or 'Who Do Think You Are'. A cracking piece of fortune and sleuthing!"”
CK - UK
“"You have expressed your every emotion courageously. Not reticent in holding back your true feelings, it was real, I felt this jumped off the pages into reality. Outstandingly compiled"”
HP - UK
Welcome to my Bookshop! I've been writing articles for many years on Consumer related matters, appearing either through my blogs or within UK National Media. From 2000, I started to write books and have several projects in transit. The first book I am presenting here is a true story from Ireland about four remarkable people. Watch out for more books in the future.
I was born to Irish parents in England and now live in South Wales with my wife. Professionally, I am now both a retired police officer and solicitor. For 14 years, I was the Consumer Director for a National Consumers Organisation, during which time I advocated for Consumer Rights, politically and within the media. For 27 years I have written and published articles and advocacy papers promoting Consumer Rights. From 2000, I began writing my first books. The first is about the quality of the air you breathe on your flight, the battle for cleaner air and what you can do about any exposure you may suffer from. The second book is a true story about 4 remarkable people, caught within the scandal of Ireland's Magdalen Institutions. My motivation for writing is always about the story but to perhaps challenge an injustice and to make those rendered invisible, visible once again. I hope you enjoy reading my work.