From Galway Bay FM newsroom- The Freedom of Galway city will be awarded later today to two Galway native women for their work helping those who passed through the Magdalene Laundries. (20/5)
Patricia Burke Brogan and the late Ena McEntee will receive the honourary award from Mayor Colette Connolly at a special meeting of Galway City Council
Patricia Burke Brogan is a playwright, novelist, poet and artist who is widely recognised as being one of the first people to tell the story of the Magdalene Laundries.
Her experiences as a young nun at the Magdalene Laundry at Forster Street turned her away from her path of serving in the Order of the Mercy Sisters.
City-native Ena McEntee, who passed away in 1986, became friendly with women working in the laundry after working alongside them.
With support from her husband, children and neigbours in Mervue, she helped over 15 women escape the laundry.
Ena's three sons Hugo, Declan and Andy McEntee will receive the award on behalf of their late mother
The ceremony will take place in the Hardiman Hotel at 3.30pm, followed by the unveiling of a plaque on College Road honouring both women.
