St. Patrick's Industrial School, Upton
Encyclopedia
St. Patrick's Industrial School, Upton was an industrial school
in Upton, County Cork
, Ireland
.
set up a committee in 1858 to plan it. They bought a 112 acre (0.45324832 km²) farm near Upton, County Cork and asked the Rosminians
to run it. Richard Brask designed a building which was completed in 1860. The main building was in the shape of a square around a central courtyard. In 1872 the lease was transferred to the Rosminians.
When the Industrial Schools Act was extended to Ireland in 1868 the Rosminians applied to have the school classed as an industrial school, which happened in 1889. It was called Danesfort Industrial School and operated until 1966.
The farm increased in size over the years, eventually reaching about 220 acre (0.8903092 km²) at the time of its closure.
The school closed because of the falling number of boys, lack of trained staff, and reorganisation and rationalisation led to the closure which had been discussed for a number of years. A fire that occurred a few months before the closure destroyed a large part of the building, but it was not the reason for closure.
In 1972 it reoopened to as a centre for adults who were mentally handicapped or who had learning difficulties. Although the Rosminians handed over ownership to the state in 2003 they continue to exercise a pastoral role.
It closed in October 1966.
were able to produce them, even then they only covered a fraction of the time under investigation.
The latter book covers a period covered by the Commissions' remit, but the Commission criticised it for being less systematic, less complete and inconsistency in breaches of rules listed. Despite this, there is enough evidence in the second book to show that punishments were as described by those complaining of abuse and not as described by some former staff.
Punishment was excessive and brutal. It was used by both religious and lay staff for control and was not supervised.
Abuse by boys was not regarded by staff as serious and was downplayed to protect the reputation of the school. The Department of Education did not carry out its responsibilities in regard to supervising the school or protecting children.
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....
in Upton, County Cork
Upton, County Cork
Upton is a village in County Cork, Ireland. It was on the Cork to Bandon section of the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway.-History:During the Irish War of Independence the local branch of the Irish Republican Army was active...
, 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,...
.
History
A local judge suggested setting up a reformatory school to serve Cord and the local Society of Saint Vincent de PaulSociety of Saint Vincent de Paul
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international Roman Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need. Active in England & Wales since 1844, today it continues to address social and material need in all...
set up a committee in 1858 to plan it. They bought a 112 acre (0.45324832 km²) farm near Upton, County Cork and asked the Rosminians
Rosminians
The Rosminians, officially the Institute of Charity or Societas a charitate nuncupata, are a Roman Catholic religious congregation founded by Antonio Rosmini and first organised in 1828....
to run it. Richard Brask designed a building which was completed in 1860. The main building was in the shape of a square around a central courtyard. In 1872 the lease was transferred to the Rosminians.
When the Industrial Schools Act was extended to Ireland in 1868 the Rosminians applied to have the school classed as an industrial school, which happened in 1889. It was called Danesfort Industrial School and operated until 1966.
The farm increased in size over the years, eventually reaching about 220 acre (0.8903092 km²) at the time of its closure.
The school closed because of the falling number of boys, lack of trained staff, and reorganisation and rationalisation led to the closure which had been discussed for a number of years. A fire that occurred a few months before the closure destroyed a large part of the building, but it was not the reason for closure.
In 1972 it reoopened to as a centre for adults who were mentally handicapped or who had learning difficulties. Although the Rosminians handed over ownership to the state in 2003 they continue to exercise a pastoral role.
It closed in October 1966.
Physical Abuse
Industrial schools were required to keep punishment books - records of misconduct and punishments. Of all the industrial schools, only Upton and St. Joseph’s Industrial School, DundalkSt Joseph’s Industrial School, Dundalk
St 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...
were able to produce them, even then they only covered a fraction of the time under investigation.
The latter book covers a period covered by the Commissions' remit, but the Commission criticised it for being less systematic, less complete and inconsistency in breaches of rules listed. Despite this, there is enough evidence in the second book to show that punishments were as described by those complaining of abuse and not as described by some former staff.
Punishment was excessive and brutal. It was used by both religious and lay staff for control and was not supervised.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse by members of the religious order was a chronic problem and it was dealt with in a manner that put the interests of the order, the institution and even the abuser ahead of that of the children. Abusers were transferred to other institutions, putting children at those institutions at risk. The order was aware of the criminal nature of the abuse, but did not treat it as a crime. The action of one Brother Alfonso (a pseudonym) exposed many abusers.Abuse by boys was not regarded by staff as serious and was downplayed to protect the reputation of the school. The Department of Education did not carry out its responsibilities in regard to supervising the school or protecting children.