Christine Buckley

Christine Buckley (10 October 1946 – 11 March 2014) was an Irish activist and campaigner, who served as the director of the Aislinn support and education group for survivors of Industrial Schools in Ireland. She was raised in St. Vincent's Industrial School, Goldenbridge. she was abandoned at three weeks of age and grew up in Goldenbridge industrial school. During the interview she was asked about her childhood and she described her experience of St. Vincent's Industrial School, Goldenbridge. She worked with Louis Lentin on the documentary Dear Daughter, which dealt with both her own experiences and those of other victims of sexual abuse at Goldenbridge. After the Commission report was published, she spoke of being filled with anger though she should have been filled with hope. In June 2009, she took part in a wreath-laying ceremony and a march of solidarity with victims of abuse in industrial schools. Up to 10,000 people took part in the march.

She died on 11 March 2014, after a long battle with breast cancer.

Legacy and Christine Buckley Award Christine Buckley was the recipient of the Irish 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2009, winning the European Volunteer of the Year looks at a variety award in Strasbourg later that year. Upon her death in 2014, Volunteer Ireland announced the renaming of their overall Volunteer of the Year award in honour of Christine Buckley. Awardees include:

2014 – Jim Kavanagh, Chernobyl Children International 2015 – Matt Cullen, Swords Tidy Towns 2016 – David McEvoy, Birr First Responders 2017 – Sister Patrica Wall (a.k.a. the "Flying Nun") 2018 – Mary Fitzgerald, Clare Haven Services for domestic abuse survivors, County Clare 2019 – Owodunni 'Ola' Mustapha, asylum seeker, organiser of Residents Committee in Direct Provision Centre, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, MASI contributor and activist

Honours In December 2012, Trinity College, Dublin awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LL.D) in recognition of her work for people who were subjected to institutional abuse. Presiding at the ceremony was former President of Ireland Mary Robinson in her capacity as Chancellor of the university.