St Joseph's Industrial School, Letterfrack
Encyclopedia
St Joseph's Industrial School was an industrial school
for young boys in Letterfrack
, County Galway
, Ireland
. The school was opened in 1887, and ran by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
.
St Joseph's received a lasting notoriety through revelation of physical and sexual abuse of the boys by some of the Brothers there, with evidence of sexual abuse and extreme physical punishments going back to the 1930s. 147 children died there while in the care of the Christian Brothers mainly from abuse and neglect.
The school was closed in 1974.
After the Ellis's left the school was run by protestant Irish Church Missions
to Roman Catholics.The ICM's proselytising efforts continued up until 1882.
The Catholic Archbishop of Tuam
, Dr. John McEvilly
bought the property in 1884.
of Ireland, Earl Spencer
suggesting that the property was 'admirably suited for a boys’ industrial school so sadly needed in that district'. However, the Lord Lieutenants' advisors were against the establishment of the school on the grounds that there was unlikely to be enough children requiring such an institution in the area and the existing schools were adequate for the educational needs of the area. Despite support from the Inspector of Industrial Schools, Sir Arthur Lentaigne the application was refused. The Archbishop continued to lobby the Lord Lieutenant and the school received support from the Lord Lieutenant in August 1885.
The school was initially certified for 75 boys and the Archbishop entered into negotiations with the Christian Brothers
. The Christian Brothers agreed and after building work added to the property, the schools opened on 12 October 1887.
The physical isolation of Letterfrack and the distances from their families increased the isolation of boys there - the surrounding area didn't supply the number of children required and many were from Dublin and Leinster
. The isolation was also a factor in institutionalisation and the fact that those who abused could remain undetected for so long. In total 2,819 boys went through Letterfrack between 1887 and 1974.
The remote location of the school was a factor in its closing.
Until 1954, there were three classes of boy at Letterfrack:
in Dún Laoghaire
. They separated out 'juvenile delinquents' and sent them to Letterfrack industrial school.
danger". Sending known abusers to any industrial school was "an act of reckless disregard" especially "one as remote and isolated as Letterfrack". The handling of members of the order who committed abuse suggested "a policy of protecting the Brothers, the Community and the Congregation at the expense of the victims".
Abuse by peers was "an element of the bullying and intimidation that were prevalent in Letterfrack and the Brothers failed to recognise it as a persistent problem". Lack of understanding on behalf of the order of the nature of abuse committed by peers combined with fear of punishment meant that some victims didn't report such abuse at the time.
Industrial school
In Ireland the Industrial Schools Act of 1868 established industrial schools to care for "neglected, orphaned and abandoned children". By 1884 there were 5,049 children in such institutions....
for young boys in Letterfrack
Letterfrack
Letterfrack or Letterfrac is a small village in the Connemara area of County Galway, Ireland. It was founded by the Quakers in the mid-19th century. The village is 15 km north-east of Clifden on Barnaderg Bay and lies at the head of Ballinakill harbour...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The school was opened in 1887, and ran by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
.
St Joseph's received a lasting notoriety through revelation of physical and sexual abuse of the boys by some of the Brothers there, with evidence of sexual abuse and extreme physical punishments going back to the 1930s. 147 children died there while in the care of the Christian Brothers mainly from abuse and neglect.
The school was closed in 1974.
Origins
A wealthy Quaker couple, James and Mary Ellis, moved to Letterfrack in 1849 from the north of England, bought a large tract of land, developed it, built a residence and also a school for local children.After the Ellis's left the school was run by protestant Irish Church Missions
Irish Church Missions
The Irish Church Mission to the Roman Catholics is a conservative and semi-autonomous Anglican mission. It was founded in 1849 chiefly by English Anglicans with the backing and support of the Church of Ireland clergy and Bishops.-History:...
to Roman Catholics.The ICM's proselytising efforts continued up until 1882.
The Catholic Archbishop of Tuam
Archbishop of Tuam
The Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
, Dr. John McEvilly
John McEvilly
John McEvilly was an Irish Roman Catholic archbishop.Born in Louisburgh, County Mayo, he was ordained in 1842 and became priest of Tuam...
bought the property in 1884.
Opening
The Archbishop wrote to the Lord LieutenantLord Lieutenant
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post...
of Ireland, Earl Spencer
John Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer KG, PC , known as Viscount Althorp from 1845 to 1857 , was a British Liberal Party politician under and close friend of British prime minister William Ewart Gladstone...
suggesting that the property was 'admirably suited for a boys’ industrial school so sadly needed in that district'. However, the Lord Lieutenants' advisors were against the establishment of the school on the grounds that there was unlikely to be enough children requiring such an institution in the area and the existing schools were adequate for the educational needs of the area. Despite support from the Inspector of Industrial Schools, Sir Arthur Lentaigne the application was refused. The Archbishop continued to lobby the Lord Lieutenant and the school received support from the Lord Lieutenant in August 1885.
The school was initially certified for 75 boys and the Archbishop entered into negotiations with the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
. The Christian Brothers agreed and after building work added to the property, the schools opened on 12 October 1887.
Running of school
A revised certificate doubling the number of boys the school could care for was issued in April 1889 and in November 1912, the accommodation limit was increased to 190.The physical isolation of Letterfrack and the distances from their families increased the isolation of boys there - the surrounding area didn't supply the number of children required and many were from Dublin and Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
. The isolation was also a factor in institutionalisation and the fact that those who abused could remain undetected for so long. In total 2,819 boys went through Letterfrack between 1887 and 1974.
The remote location of the school was a factor in its closing.
Until 1954, there were three classes of boy at Letterfrack:
- Those who were homeless, without proper guardianship, destitute, in breach of the School Attendance Act or guilty of criminal offences.
- Those sent by the Local Authorities pursuant to the Public Assistance Act 1949.
- Those who were voluntarily admitted by parents or guardians.
Carriglea pupils sent to Letterfrack
In 1954 the Christian Brothers decided to close one of their schools and chose Carriglea ParkCarriglea Park
Carriglea Park was an industrial school in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. The Christian Brothers purchased the property in 1893. It was first certified as an Industrial School in 1894 and started operating in 1896...
in Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
. They separated out 'juvenile delinquents' and sent them to Letterfrack industrial school.
Physical abuse
The report concluded that corporal punishment in Letterfrack was "severe, excessive and pervasive, and created a climate of fear", that it "was the primary method of control" and that unavoidable because "it was frequently capricious, unfair and inconsistent". There was no punishment book kept and the Department of Education was found to be at fault for not ensuring that one was maintained.Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse "by Brothers was a chronic problem in Letterfrack" and that those members of the order who served there "included firstly those who had previously been guilty of sexual abuse of boys, secondly those whose abuse was discovered while they worked in that institution and, thirdly some who were subsequently revealed to have abused boys". The Christian Brothers "did not properly investigate allegations of sexual abuse of boys by Brothers" and "knew that Brothers who sexually abused boys were a continuingdanger". Sending known abusers to any industrial school was "an act of reckless disregard" especially "one as remote and isolated as Letterfrack". The handling of members of the order who committed abuse suggested "a policy of protecting the Brothers, the Community and the Congregation at the expense of the victims".
Abuse by peers was "an element of the bullying and intimidation that were prevalent in Letterfrack and the Brothers failed to recognise it as a persistent problem". Lack of understanding on behalf of the order of the nature of abuse committed by peers combined with fear of punishment meant that some victims didn't report such abuse at the time.
Neglect
Boys at Letterfrack "were unprotected in a hostile environment isolated from their families", they "left Letterfrack with little education and no adequate training". They needed extra support to bring them up to standard "but instead they got poor teachers and bad conditions".Former residents
- Mannix FlynnMannix FlynnGerard Mannix Flynn, sometimes written only as Mannix Flynn, is an Irish writer, playwright, actor and politician. He was born in Dublin in May 1957. He was sent to St Joseph's Industrial School in Letterfrack aged eleven for eighteen months. He was subjected to sexual and physical abuse there....
- playwright, author, artist, actor. - Peter TyrrellPeter TyrrellPeter Tyrrell , was an Irish author and former inmate of St Joseph's Industrial School, Letterfrack, an institution run by the Christian Brothers.-Early life:...
- he told Owen Sheehy-SkeffingtonOwen Sheehy-SkeffingtonDr. Owen Lancelot Sheehy-Skeffington was an Irish university lecturer and Senator.- Early life :Sheehy-Skeffington was brought up in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, was a pacifist and nationalist whose murder by Captain J.C. Bowen-Colthurst in 1916 during the week of the...
about the abuse perpetrated in Letterfrack industrial school and wrote a book about Letterfrack that was published posthumously. Peter Tyrell committed suicide in London by setting fire to himself.
External links
- http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=9501&locID=1.2.141 Chris Heaphy, a victim of abuse at Greenmont Industrial School, Cork, delivers an emotional speech on Patrick St, Cork, 28 May 2009