Industrial Schools in Ireland
Encyclopedia
Industrial Schools, were established in Ireland
under the Industrial Schools Act of 1868 to care for "neglected, orphaned and abandoned children". By 1884, there were 5,049 children in such institutions throughout the country.
Former Industrial and Reformatory Schools in the Republic of Ireland
are now officially referred to as Children Detention Schools. There are five such institutions in the State.
The equivalent institution in Northern Ireland
is the Juvenile Justice Centre at Rathgael, near Bangor
. It is now Northern Ireland's only children's detention centre following the closure of St Patrick's in Belfast
and Lisnevin in Millisle
(formerly known as Training Schools).
, four years after the equivalent in England. An 'upgraded' Reformatory Act was also introduced that year. Ironically, children charged with begging could not benefit under the terms of the original 1858 Act and were still being sent to adult prisons while young burglars were being sent to the more benign 'special school'.
Over the next few decades there was a building boom to provide new premises for both types of institution. Reformatories were intended for children found guilty of criminal offences
, while Industrial Schools were for orphaned neglected
and abandoned children
and those considered in danger of contact with criminality. This latter category had previously been accommodated in so called 'Ragged Schools (such as the one at the Coombe
in Dublin), and in the countrywide network of Workhouses.
Many private philanthropic schools were granted certificates as Reformatories or Industrial Schools
for the reception of children committed by the courts. After certification they became eligible for grants from public money in proportion to the number of children catered for. Although Reformatory Schools were established first, Industrial Schools soon surpassed them, both in numbers of schools and of pupils. Between 1851 and 1858, ten Reformatories (five each for boys and girls) were certified. By 1900, only seven of the ten original Reformatories remained. A number of the reformatories were recertified as Industrial Schools so that by 1922, only five remained (one of which was a Reformatory for boys in Northern Ireland).
immediately after the passing of the 1858 Act, fell to 300 in 1882, and to 150 in 1900.
However, by 1875, there were 50 industrial schools, and the highest number
of industrial schools was reached in 1898, when there were a total of 71 schools, of which 61 (56
schools for Catholics and five for Protestants) were in the 26 counties.
was established in 2000 with functions including the investigation of abuse of children in institutions in the State. It was dependent on people giving evidence which they did in large numbers.
The conclusion of the report, issued in May, 2009, was that over a period going back at least to the 1940s, many children in Industrial Schools in the Republic, had been subjected to systematic and sustained physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It also found that the perpetrators of this violence had been protected by their religious superiors, primarily out of self-interest in order to maintain the reputations of the institutions concerned.
, speaking in 1911 was of the opinion that:
In light of the findings in the Ryan report almost one hundred years later, his assessment of the 'experiment' was apparently premature.
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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...
under the Industrial Schools Act of 1868 to care for "neglected, orphaned and abandoned children". By 1884, there were 5,049 children in such institutions throughout the country.
Former Industrial and Reformatory Schools in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
are now officially referred to as Children Detention Schools. There are five such institutions in the State.
The equivalent institution in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
is the Juvenile Justice Centre at Rathgael, near Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
. It is now Northern Ireland's only children's detention centre following the closure of St Patrick's in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and Lisnevin in Millisle
Millisle
Millisle or Mill Isle is a village on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is mostly within the townland of Ballymacruise, about south of Donaghadee. It had a population of 1,800 in the 2001 Census...
(formerly known as Training Schools).
Establishment of reformatories and Industrial Schools
Reformatory Schools had been established in 1858 under a Poor Law amendment. Ten years later Industrial Schools were introduced by the Industrial Schools (Ireland) Act of 1868Industrial Schools Act 1868
Industrial Schools Act 1868 was an Act of Parliament which created Industrial schools in Ireland to care for neglected, orphaned and abandoned children....
, four years after the equivalent in England. An 'upgraded' Reformatory Act was also introduced that year. Ironically, children charged with begging could not benefit under the terms of the original 1858 Act and were still being sent to adult prisons while young burglars were being sent to the more benign 'special school'.
Over the next few decades there was a building boom to provide new premises for both types of institution. Reformatories were intended for children found guilty of criminal offences
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
, while Industrial Schools were for orphaned neglected
Child neglect
Child neglect is defined as:# "the failure of a person responsible for a child’s care and upbringing to safeguard the child’s emotional and physical health and general well-being"...
and abandoned children
Child abandonment
Child abandonment is the practice of relinquishing interests and claims over one's offspring with the intent of never again resuming or reasserting them. Causes include many social and cultural factors as well as mental illness. An abandoned child is called a foundling .-Causes:Poverty is often a...
and those considered in danger of contact with criminality. This latter category had previously been accommodated in so called 'Ragged Schools (such as the one at the Coombe
Coombe Women's Hospital
The Coombe Women's Hospital is a hospital providing a range of medical services to both women and infants founded in 1826 by Mrs. Margaret Boyle in Dublin, Ireland.-Names:...
in Dublin), and in the countrywide network of Workhouses.
Many private philanthropic schools were granted certificates as Reformatories or Industrial Schools
for the reception of children committed by the courts. After certification they became eligible for grants from public money in proportion to the number of children catered for. Although Reformatory Schools were established first, Industrial Schools soon surpassed them, both in numbers of schools and of pupils. Between 1851 and 1858, ten Reformatories (five each for boys and girls) were certified. By 1900, only seven of the ten original Reformatories remained. A number of the reformatories were recertified as Industrial Schools so that by 1922, only five remained (one of which was a Reformatory for boys in Northern Ireland).
Statistics
The reformatory school population, which was nearly 800immediately after the passing of the 1858 Act, fell to 300 in 1882, and to 150 in 1900.
However, by 1875, there were 50 industrial schools, and the highest number
of industrial schools was reached in 1898, when there were a total of 71 schools, of which 61 (56
schools for Catholics and five for Protestants) were in the 26 counties.
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Ireland
The Commission to Inquire into Child AbuseCommission to Inquire into Child Abuse
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is one of a range of measures introduced by the Irish Government to investigate the extent and effects of abuse on children from 1936 onwards. It is commonly known in Ireland as the Ryan Commission , after its chair, Justice Seán Ryan...
was established in 2000 with functions including the investigation of abuse of children in institutions in the State. It was dependent on people giving evidence which they did in large numbers.
The conclusion of the report, issued in May, 2009, was that over a period going back at least to the 1940s, many children in Industrial Schools in the Republic, had been subjected to systematic and sustained physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It also found that the perpetrators of this violence had been protected by their religious superiors, primarily out of self-interest in order to maintain the reputations of the institutions concerned.
Vaccine trials
It had been the intention of the Commission to investigate vaccine trials in some Industrial Schools. However, following a ruling by the High Court, this work was suspended in 2003 and never re-commenced."A rather dangerous experiment"
Richard Robert Cherry, a future Chief Justice of IrelandChief Justice of Ireland
The Chief Justice of Ireland is the president of the Supreme Court of Ireland.Under Constitution of Ireland, the Chief Justice of Ireland also occupies several positions ex officio, these include;* A possible judge of the High Court....
, speaking in 1911 was of the opinion that:
It is impossible to exaggerate the good effect (of).... this twin system of Reformatory and Industrial Schools. The latter have been particularly successful in Ireland; and the combination of voluntary effort and private management, with State regulation and partial support—a rather dangerous experiment—has been completely justified by the result.
In light of the findings in the Ryan report almost one hundred years later, his assessment of the 'experiment' was apparently premature.
Industrial Schools in Ireland (Republic of Ireland)
The following schools were run by religious orders and funded by the public:- Artane Industrial SchoolArtane Industrial schoolSt. Josephs Industrial School, Artane was an industrial school run by the Christian Brothers in Artane, Dublin from 1870 to 1969.It closed in 1969.-History:The school opened on 28 July 1870, in Artane Castle with fifty-six acres of land added....
, Dublin - Carriglea ParkCarriglea ParkCarriglea 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...
Industrial School, Dún LaoghaireDún LaoghaireDún 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...
, Co. Dublin. - Our Lady of Succour, NewtownforbesNewtownforbesNewtownforbes is a village in County Longford, Ireland. It was historically called Lisbrack, an anglicisation of the Irish name.The N4 National primary route passes through the Main Street of the village, which is situated 4 km northwest of Longford Town.Newtownforbes is a thriving village...
- St. Ann's Industrial School for Girls, Killarney, Co. Kerry
- St. Anne's Industrial School for Girls, Booterstown, Co. Dublin
- St. Anne's Reformatory School for Girls, Kilmacud, Co. Dublin
- St. Ann's Industrial School for Girls and Junior Boys, Renmore, Lenaboy, Co. Galway
- St. Augustine's Industrial School for Girls, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
- St. Bernard's Industrial School for Girls, Fethard, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary
- St. Bridgid's Industrial School for Girls, Loughrea, Co. Galway
- St. Coleman's Industrial School for Girls, Cobh/Rushbrook, Co. Cork
- St. Columba's Industrial School for Girls, Westport, Co. Mayo
- St. Conleth's Reformatory School for Boys, Daingean, Co. Offaly
- St. Dominick's Industrial School for Girls, Waterford
- St. Finbarr's Industrial School for Girls, Sundays Well, Marymount, Cork
- St. Francis Xavier's Industrial School for Girls and Junior Boys, Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon
- St. Francis' Industrial School for Girls, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
- St. George's Industrial School for Girls, Limerick
- St. John's Industrial School for Girls, Birr, Co. Offaly
- St. Joseph's Industrial SchoolSt Joseph's Industrial School, LetterfrackSt 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....
, LetterfrackLetterfrackLetterfrack 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... - St. Joseph's Industrial School, Whitehall, DublinWhitehall, DublinWhitehall is a Northside suburb of Dublin City, Ireland.Whitehall is on the northern outskirts of Dublin's inner city, located on the N1 road leading to Dublin Airport, Swords and Belfast, between Santry and Drumcondra. North of Whitehall, the N1 becomes a motorway, the M1...
- St. Joseph's Industrial School, Kilkenny, Ireland
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Boys, Passage West, Co. Cork
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Boys, Tralee, Co. KerrySt Joseph's Industrial School, TraleeSt Joseph's Industrial School, Tralee was an industrial school in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It was situated on the western side of Tralee, on the road to Ardfert.-History:...
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls and Junior Boys, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls and Junior Boys, Clifden, Co. Galway
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls and Junior Boys, Liosomoine, Killarney, Co. Kerry
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Cavan
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Dundalk, Co. LouthSt Joseph’s Industrial School, DundalkSt Joseph’s Industrial School, Dundalk was an industrial school in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland.It started as a school founded in 1847 during the Great Famine at the instigation of the parish priest and local residents...
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Kilkenny
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Mallow, Co. Cork
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Girls, Whitehall, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Senior Boys, FerryhouseFerryhouseSt Joseph’s Industrial School, generally referred to as Ferryhouse, is located four kilometres east of Clonmel, in South Tipperary, Ireland. The original building was erected in 1884 by Count Arthur Moore, a wealthy local Catholic as a reformatory for boys...
, ClonmelClonmelClonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
, Co. Tipperary - St. Joseph's Industrial School for Senior BoysSt Joseph’s Industrial School, GlinSt Joseph’s Industrial School, Glin was an industrial school in Glin, County Limerick.-History:The school was originally founded in 1872 in Sexton Street, Limerick...
, Glin, County LimerickGlin, County LimerickGlin is a village in the northwest of County Limerick, Ireland. It is on the south shore of the River Shannon's estuary, on the N69 road between Foynes and Tarbert. The population of the village in 2006 was 566.- History :... - St. Joseph's Industrial School for Senior Boys, Greenmount, Cork
- St. Joseph's Industrial School for Senior Boys, Salthill, Co. Galway
- St. Joseph's Reformatory School for Girls, Limerick
- St. Kyran's Industrial School for Junior Boys, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
- St. Laurence's Industrial School for Girls, Sligo
- St. Laurence's Industrial School, Finglas, Dublin 11
- St. Martha's Industrial School for Girls, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
- St. Mary's Industrial School, Lakelands, Sandymount, Dublin 4
- St. Michael's Industrial School for Girls, Wexford
- St. Michael's Industrial School for Junior boys, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford
- St. Patrick's Industrial School, KilkennyKilkennyKilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
- St. Patrick's Industrial School, UptonSt. Patrick's Industrial School, UptonSt. Patrick's Industrial School, Upton was an industrial school in Upton, County Cork, Ireland.-History:A local judge suggested setting up a reformatory school to serve Cord and the local Society of Saint Vincent de Paul set up a committee in 1858 to plan it. They bought a farm near Upton, County...
- St. Vincent's (House of Charity) Industrial School for Junior Boys, Drogheda, Co. Louth
- St. Vincent's Industrial School for Girls, Limerick
- St. Vincent's Industrial School, GoldenbridgeSt. Vincent's Industrial School, GoldenbridgeSt. Vincent's Industrial School, Goldenbridge, popularly known as Goldenbridge, was an industrial school in Dublin, Ireland. It was run by the Sisters of Mercy.-History:...
, Inchicore, Dublin 8
Industrial Schools in Ireland (Northern Ireland)
Some abuse victims in industrial schools in Northern Ireland are taking a legal case against religious orders. There have also been calls for an inquiry. The Industrial Schools in Northern Ireland were gradually closed and emptied in the 1920's and 1930's, and were effectively gone by 1950.- St. Patrick's Training School, Belfast, Co. Antrim
- Lisnevin Training School, MillisleMillisleMillisle or Mill Isle is a village on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is mostly within the townland of Ballymacruise, about south of Donaghadee. It had a population of 1,800 in the 2001 Census...
, Co. Down.
See also
- Magdalen AsylumMagdalen AsylumMagdalene asylums were institutions from the 18th to the mid-20th centuries ostensibly for "fallen women", a term used to imply sexual promiscuity....
- Haut de la GarenneHaut de la GarenneThe Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre is a building in Saint Martin, Jersey, in the Channel Islands. It was formerly known as the Industrial School, the Jersey Home for Boys, and Haut de la Garenne. Its previous uses have included being an industrial school, a children's home, a military...
Saint Martin, Jersey. - Industrial SchoolIndustrial schoolIn 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....
External links
- Republic of Ireland
- Reformatory and Industrial School legislation and reports for Ireland _ 1861 to 1919.
- History of child abuse in Ireland: Industrial schools
- Ultimate Disposal
- The Goldenbridge Secret Rosary Bead Factory
- St Michael's Industrial School, Wexford, 1901 & 1911 census
- Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009
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- Northern Ireland
- NORTHERN IRELAND CHILD CARE LAW “THE ROUGH GUIDE” Fourth Report of the Children Order Advisory Committee - January 2004