Athlone exhibition on domestic abuse opens this evening

A powerful exhibition in which pairs of shoes are placed alongside the words of domestic abuse survivors will go on display at St Mary's Church of Ireland, on Church Street, Athlone, this evening (Friday, April 28).

The Souls of Our Shoes exhibition was put together by the Christian charity Mothers' Union and has previously been displayed in other parts of the country.

It will be launched in Athlone this evening at 8pm. The date was chosen to coincide with today's 'Go Purple Day', an annual initiative to raise awareness of domestic abuse which was started by Garda Stacey Looby of Athlone Garda Station.

Rev William Steacy of the Church of Ireland's Athlone Union of Parishes explained that Souls of Our Shoes features around 50 pairs of shoes accompanied by comments from people affected by gender-based violence or domestic abuse.

He described it as a "thought-provoking and compelling" exhibition.

"It aims to open conversations and let people know that there are people of faith who are concerned about people affected by this issue," he said.

"The exhibition is primarily intended for adults as the subject matter may be disturbing, especially for younger members who may have experienced abuse themselves."

At the launch this evening a guest speaker, Lesley Bayley, will speak about her own experience of domestic abuse. Ms Bayley is a Diocesan Reader in the Church of Ireland and a member of the Mothers’ Union in County Wexford.

This evening's launch take place from 8pm to 10pm, and the exhibition will continue on Saturday, April 29 (10am to 5pm), Sunday, April 30 (2pm to 5pm) and on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1, (2pm to 5pm).