A True Story of a young boy Abused by the State and Church
Preface by the Author
As an inmate of a Irish Industrial School and Irish national it gives me no pleasure to assist in recording an account of the heartbreaking suffering of those boys who, largely through no fault of their own, were sent to St Joseph’s Irish Industrial School in Letterfrack, County Galway.
The road to hell being paved with good intentions this hideous and now notorious children’s penal colony began life and for some, death, as a Quaker-inspired school in 1887.Through the passage of time it malformed into what was euphemistically called an industrial school (Scoileanna Saothair) for young boys. Today they are called Children’s Detention Schools.
Irish Industrial School
Under the Industrial Schools Act (1888) their purpose was to ‘care for neglected, orphaned and abandoned children.’ In essence they were a dumping ground for children who found themselves on the fringes of society.
“In 1954 there were three classes of boys placed in Letterfrack’s St Josephs:
- The Homeless and those guilty of criminal offences
- The destitute sent by local authorities in accordance with the Public Assistance Act
- Those voluntarily admitted by parents and guardians”
Letterfrack was mismanaged by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. In respect of those committed for criminal acts it should be remembered that these unfortunates were very young and their ‘offences’ petty in the extreme. It is a sobering thought that within our lifetime conditions at this school find their equal only in 18th Century English judicial barbarism.
The nearby Fields of Athenry are poignant enough for most people’s stomachs. For many of the unfortunate boys who endured St Joseph’s, transportation might well have been a blessing.
The ‘school’s’ notoriety was founded upon the abuse and extreme physical and mental punishments inflicted upon defenceless children by a largely psychotic mob of cassocked ecclesiastical wardens. No fewer than 147 children died whilst under their tender mercies.
“Many of these brothers should be presumed to be practitioners of the dark arts. Only the devil could have been inspired to inflict such miseries on defenceless waifs; only darkness have conspired a whole community to turn aside from the wailing of hundreds of children through those dark decades of its existence. Some of the dreadful scenes are reminiscent of the scenes depicted in medieval tapestries in which the excesses of hell are defined.”
Doorway to Hell, Letterfrack Industrial School
Testimony
This is the testimony of Frank Heeney, himself an inmate from the age of twelve to sixteen. It is also an authentication, a memorial and recognition for each of the adolescent victims of those men of the cloth and their collaborationists. His account of life in this dreadful institution will give many pauses for thought as to the iniquities of man. It immortalises the cold hearted ethos of the judiciary.
“Readers will also be inspired by the selfless acts, rebelliousness and inborn stoicism of young boys in the face of extreme hostility.”
Memorial to The Boys
Comments
Marie Maher
I have recently finished reading this book and I cannot recomend it enough.I found it captivating,compelling, funny in parts and I could not put it down.Congratulations to the Author, and I’m quite sure it will be a winner. Only sad thing about it is..Its a True story..hope we don’t have to wait too long for book 2. M Maher
rfh
Thank you so much Marie for such wonderful comments.It gives me so much pleasure to hear such truthful views on my story and it makes it so worthwhile to receive such a wonderful response.
Rick Lee
I have just finished reading this book and I could not put it down until I reached the last page.
It is funny in places but overall it is a powerful testament to the lives of children in Irish society who where put into the care of the” UNCHRISTIAN” Christian Brothers. A must read book, and congrats to the author for sharing the horrors of his young life with us.
rfh
Thank you Rick for your comments on my book so glad that you took the time to purchase it and so glad it was such a good read for you.
MickeyFinn14
lynsey stone
oh i have just finished reading tis book an it is a remarkable story.i could not put it down,it is defo a must read book,cant wait for book number 2.
rfh
Well thank you Lynsey for your comments on my book so glad you liked it, and yes number 2 is in the making at this time.
mickeyfinn14
Ciara McKenna
A harrowing story told brilliantly. Here is nature’s survival of the fittest in its natural form. Some people are born to survive and succeed and little Mickey Finn is definitely one of natures selected.
Fortunately I am not old enough to remember what it was like ‘back then’, it seems like an alien world to me but I for one are relieved that the catholic church no longer has its vice like grip about the Irish peoples throats.
They no longer are a force to be feared and what a mighty fall from grace they’re taking. Thankfully no one is keeping their filthy little secrets anymore. The legacy they’ve left behind is nothing but hurt, betrayal, disgust, hatred, vengeance……….
I cannot help but think of my own children and wonder would they have coped with what this child had to deal with.
Young Mickey was a very clever, resourceful, insightful and brave young man. His stongest asset was definitely his stubbornness and I’ve no doubt that without it he wouldn’t be here today.
I really enjoyed this book, the writer encapsulated the reader and brought us on his journey. I could feel his pain, sadness, anger and rare bouts of happiness and joy. Can’t wait for the next installment. What did Mickey do next??????
rfh
Thank you so much Ciara, a tear came to my eye on reading your comment’s thank you again so much for your honest opinion of my book, and with the help of a good mother your children will have a bright and happy future.
And yes Mickey is writing what he did next at this present time the 2nd book should be out in the new year.
Dave M
Just read the book and Im wondering why these Bastards are not being hunted to the end’s of the earth like the Nazis still are for their crimes,
Its incredible to hear one boys story in detail rather than the usual watered down snippets we dont really pay heed to on the news every now and then.
It took a lot of guts im sure to re-live the horrors I’v read by scum that are still walking free to this day.
It boils the blood no end, but I hope also the courage and human spirit that prevailed throughout will serve some good, be it to any of the other hundreds/thousands of victims out there or just to create more awareness of what our government and religious systems are capable of..
Well done Mickey
rfh
Thank you Dave for your honest and wonderful words, yes they should be hunted to the end of the earth but they won’t be, nor will the politicians or civil servants that were complicit in their wrong doings. Such is life, and they hope after time that their crimes will go away but with honest readers like you this will never happen.
Thank you so much.
Mickey
rfh
Thank you so much Dave for your kind words and I am so glad you liked the book.
Mickey Finn14
Pat McMahon
Had a little read of your book.
Must say it was an awesome, horrific, heart rending story brought to life in a most marvellous, direct and uncomplicated manner.
It has the power to put a person’s feet right back onto the ground and seriously think about the different realities that existed back then.
You did a brilliant job, well done.
Regards for now.
Slán anois.
Pat
Ciara Mc kenne
This book brings the reader on a journey with a child who succumbs to peer pressure and gets involved in a silly misdemeanor. The consequences of young Mickey Finns childish actions will change his life forever. As was custom in those times for the less well off he was sent to an industrial school where he could learn to behave in society. Here he was witness and subjected to such appalling and revulsive conditions that no child should be aware of never mind live them on a daily basis. But young Mickey Finn was a fighter and a survivor! This book is a must read. The author really captures the reader, we are brought on young Mickeys journey, step by step. When Mickey cries, we cry. When he’s angry and wants to fight, we will him to triumph. When he has to be brave so do we. One of the best true stories I’ve read to date. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel!!
Ciara McKenna
Dave Maher
This needs to be read all over the world
After reading this book I have a raw understanding of the trauma this young man went through in these industrial schools. I never knew much about them like most i’d heard the odd story here and there, but this has shed it all in a new light, a new low!! The church has alot to answer for in this country already and brave people like this author coming forward and telling their individual account is hard on the senses but essential I think. Its hard to believe this is just one boys story when thousands went through this system, so obviously the scale of abuse is unimaginable. Its a definite must read. Well done Mickey Finn
Dave
Michael ward
WOW what a superb book.
I only bought it two days ago in bookvalue and could not put it down, it is a superb account of a kids life and troubles in 1960’s Ireland and the horror’s he endured under the care of the Christian Brothers in a remote part of Ireland.
This story should shouted from the roof tops, its a must read part of Irish history and all praise to the author for telling us his story….5 stars..
tom turnor
Wow and Wow got this book for christmas and what a read.
This book will truly lift the lid on the christian Brothers reign of brutality and terror on young innocent kids in catholic Ireland.
Great job by the author and good luck to you with it.
Tom
Mary millas
I have just finished reading your book.
And I must say I was very moved by it and wish to thank you for having the courage to put into words your sad but horriffic story. well done and I hope it does well for you.
Mary
mick
great book
brian byrne
what a great book it is a must read
Thomas Tubbridge
Just finished reading this book, and what a rollorcoaster.
Very funny in parts but also very sad.
i highly recommend this book its a must read.
T Tubridge Southampton UK
Michealle Bradbury
If you ever wanted to read a book about a childs triumph over state and the Christian brothers then this is the one.
I could not put it down and read it straight trough twice.
Well done and may God be with you.
MB
K.Donovan
Hello, having started reading this remarkable book, I came across this website and was wondering whether anybody recalls the Catholic Godparents Guild, an organisation which aimed to help children in industrial schools? It helped allocate Godparents from members of the Irish public to children in industrial schools. It was founded in 1949 by Mr. Liam Trant McCarthy and Miss Annie Wogan and ran up until the late 1970s and helped allocate Godparents from members of the Irish public to children in industrial schools. It was active across the whole of Ireland and affected the lives of many children from various different industrial schools. These children were probably assigned a Godparent without knowing why, or really who they were.
I was wondering whether anybody was affected by the work of this Guild and may like to share their recollections of their experiences with me as it is the subject of my mphil thesis (or has any information that might prove to be useful).
I would be ever so grateful as there is little information available about the experiences of the godchildren themselves, but I believe that this is one of the most important sections of this study.
mike feeney
I was in St Joseph’s Industrial school in Salthill, Galway from 1959 – 1966. In 1960 I was due to go home on holidays to my parents in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo but my mother died in June and so I never got to meet her. I’d been placed in care in St Vincent’s Orphanage in Drogheda at age 2 nine years previously and then transferred to Salthill at age ten. When my mother died one of the Brothers (Rockett) asked his cousin, Kathleen Power, to be my (honorary) Godmother. She remained my Godmother until 2003 when she died aged 92. Although the relationship had a ‘nominal sunset’ with my release from care she remained in that role for another 37 years. I can’t imagine what my life might have been like had she not been in it. I am now living in Australia – having emigrated here in 1974 – and am now 65 years old. Should you require more information I’d be glad to help. Regards…Mike Feeney (formerly Walsh…I changed my name by Deed Poll to my Mother’s in 1998).
Mickey Finn
Hi Mike
Thank you for your comments and I hope you like the book.
It is good to see that you got through your ordeal of life in an Industrial School ok and are living a fruitful life in Austrailia and I wish you all the best in the future.
Mickey Finn
Patrick mc Geehin
dear Mike.
my name is Patrick Mc Geehin.
I was in st, Vincents Drogheda from 1957 to1963.
and in salthill CBS from 1963 to 1968.
Patrick
I dont remember you ?
richard7906
Hi Patrick. Mike changed his name by deed poll. please re-read his comments.
Thanks
Brooke Bryan
Brooke Bryan rated it
I really enjoyed this book, not because it was a heart warming happily ever after book, but it truly evoked emotion and the strength of the human soul. My heart broke for Mickey and the other boys and the life they were forced to live. They were robbed of their childhood and never had the opportunity to be a carefree happy kids. I have boys around the same age as Mickey was and the thought that another human being could treat a child so horribly and cruel left me questioning those in authority. I was left wondering why nobody stepped in to save these boys, and how could these “Brothers” feel justified in their actions and take joy in the abuse they inflicted on children. At times I found myself angry, crying, and then completely cheering Mickey on. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
Thresa
These children were ripped from their homes with no notice for petty crimes and for incredibly long amounts of time. And these were the ones who actually did something wrong, some just had the misfortune of being orphans. That’s horrible enough. But then they’re forced to suffer terrible acts of cruelty-physical, sexual, and mental abuse. I can maybe understand the townspeople turning a blind eye to what may be happening. What I fail to fathom is how when these children came home on “break”, their parents couldn’t see that something was wrong. And I don’t how they (the kids) forced themselves to go back. The only thing I can imagine is the fear of what would happen if they didn’t was worse than what was waiting back at the institution for them. I do know I wouldn’t have had the strength or fortitude to survive what they did. I wish the book had an epilogue or something to tell how the terror finally ended.
Kat Wells
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars just because the grammer and how it was written but other then that it was really good! I will be doing an in depth review on my youtube channel and will leave the link here later! Its a good book about the authors life in a prison type school since the age of 12. It was really good and kept me reading.
Kelly
Because of the grammar??? Are you serious???? This man tells the story as he knows it and YOU are more concerned with the grammar than the words… Shocked really! These boys were taught how to break rocks, how to hold their breath under water long enough to not drown under the “brothers” hands, how to survive on morsels, how to not tell of the sexual violence they endured, how to wake up every morning feeling un-loved and forgotten by their families. These boys were NOT taught grammar in their “school”. My father was in Letterfrack from 12-16 years of age, sadly he has suffered to this day having never dealt with his childhood… Nobody should ever correct a suffering, dying inside man! Shame on you!!!
eirekellydawn@gmail.com
Anna
GRAMMER? Are you on drugs or an ex. nun? There is something seriously wrong with your brain. You read a TRUE STORY like that and all you can think about is grammer!
Wanda
After more than forty years, Mickey has written his memoir. He is still haunted by the memories of mental, physical, and sexual abuse that he and hundreds of other unfortunate children suffered at the hands of the ‘so called’ Christian Brothers at the Letterfrack Industrial School in Connemara.
Karen Hendry
Karen Hendry rated it
I’m not one for true life books but this one is a must read! How these people got away with abuse on a mass scale is beggars belief, these children supposedly looked after by men of god were let down by the system at every turn and should be compensated today an apology is not enough for what these kids suffered. We aren’t talking about Victorian times, it’s less than 50 years ago! Thanks for sharing your story and I hope you’ve found some relief by sharing your story.
Glenn
Glen rated it
I received this book for free on Goodreads first reads. The book was very well written. It felt like I was there going through the tragic ordeals that Mickey Finn was going through. I enjoyed the book but it was very disturbing to read about the way Ireland’s children are treated in the places they called the Industrial School. I just hope that some justice has been handed out to the poor esxcuse for Human beings that were running those schools and that the children who endured are able to find some closure in their lives. I pray that these horrible things are not happening in todays times.
Rose
I have recently finished reading this book and cannot recommend it enough. I found it captivating, compelling, funny in parts and I could not put it down until I finished it.
Congratulations to the author and I am quite sure it will be a winner. The only sad thing about it is….it’s a True story, hope we don’t have to wait too long for book two
laurence
I myself was one of those boys till the school closed. And I worked under br tobin for many yrs
laurence
And yes it was a terrible experience for me and most of us . So many stories I remember now. Not one day past I would get a beating
rfh
Hi Laurence yes i also worked under Brother Tobin the man should have got life in prison for what he done to children,and the Brothers that knew about him and shielded him should also have been imprisoned but no they were never even questioned about him by the authorities.
martina
My father aiden who now passed was in this place I hope they all rot in hell for what they done to children..
rfh
Hi Martina thank you for your comments,yes they should rot in hell.
Martin Dunne
I am looking to know the name of the book, also where to purchase it,
Many thanks,
Recent visitor to Letterfrack
richard7906
Hi Martin
The Book is called Survivor [A true story of survival]
It can be purchased on all Amazon outlets.
Regards
Caroline Doab
Hi
I am sad to say that alhough i have this book i have not read it, My father and his brothers went to this hellhole and as much as i love him and i try to understand what he went through, i am scared to read for myself what the atrocities are, my Father has told me about some of the incidents that happened to him and his brothers,
Mikey i wish you all the best with this book and book number 2 and i hope one day i will be strong enough to read your personal account, you are a strong man and i am glad that someone has had the courage to speak out about this,
All the best
Caroline Doab
Mickey
Thank you Caroline for your comments and I hope that you will read the book as it is also funny in places and it may help you to deal with your pain of what your father and his brothers went through.
All the best.
Mickey
Clare Guy (nee O’Flaherty
My father was at St.Josephs Industrial School in Salthill from about 1945 to about 1955 I think. All I know is that he suffered beatings and emotional abuse. This is what my aunt could tell me who herself was in a school run by the Sisters of Mercy and was abused and has since had compensation.
I have after 5 years just received a cheque as my father has since passed away. Nothing can repay/wipe out what happened or make up for what happened – as you all who read this know that they grade the abuse under redress – no amount of money can replace a life ruined and what was passed on – I still have no confidence and low self esteem I spent so much of my childhood scared…… As a child I didn’t know why my dad got drunk so much and had such a fowl temper. I used to think it was my fault and spent so much time scared.
When he was sober and in a good mood he was a lovely man and I miss that part of him. He has been gone for nearly 12 years now. I just wish I had known about this and been able to talk to him about it. That has also been lost thanks to them!!!
I really just don’t know what else to say, I am just still so angry after all this time – I also lost my childhood thanks to THEM. My dad lost his whole life and my mum suffered too……
It would be nice to hear from someone :o)
rfh
Thank you for getting in touch. My heart goes out to you and all your family for what you have all been through. Nothing like the paltry sums they paid out in redress will make up for the countless lives that these people have destroyed since this state was formed. You will hear politicians condem these acts but in reality they were the ones that set up this system and allowed it to continue. As far back as the 1940’s they were being told what was going on and ignored it. Why should you and your mother have suffered for their sin’s [The Church and Government]?
Just keep your chin up and put your best foot forward as you caused nothing, it was never your fault you were an innocent in all this.
Clare Guy (nee O’Flaherty
Thank you,I have emailed you also. On looking further into things,I Have had a look on the internet, can I just ask was St. Josephs Salthill and St. Josephs Letterfrack the same school?
terri
Hello Mickey
I have stumbled across this web site and found out about your book as a few years ago I found out I have a step brother that spent time at St Joseph’s. He often asks me questions that I don’t have the answer to but I am going to read your book which sounds harrowing but fascinating. I will let you know my comments,
thanks for writing it
Terri
god bless
terri
Hi Mickey
stumbled across this site which has told me about your book I am just going to purchase it now and read. It sounds harrowing and fascinating. I found out I have a half brother a few years ago who lives in Ireland and spent time at St.Joseph’s.
I will let you know how I get on
thanks
Terri
Mickey Finn
Thanks Terri, let me know how you get on with the book.
Mickey
brian
hi mickey coud i get in contact with you ref through my email, im doing a bit of digging around myself and trying to piece together a puzzle, my grandad and his 2 brothers were sent to letterfrack ages 5, 5 1/2, and 6 years they were never to be seen again ubtil they were put on a train on there 16th birthday all returned back to where they were sent from in the first place, all 3 are dead now but i would like to get more info in any way shape or form if possible, all 3 never ever spoe or breathed a word of letterfrack in there entire lives, would really really look forward to hearing back from you, tx bruan
rfh
Hi Brian.
You can find out about your releations time in Letterfrack by submitting a freedom of information request to the Dept Of Education.
You will need their names and date of birth, also if you know the year they were sent there.
Hope this helps you.
Regards
Mickey Finn
Brid Fitzpatrick
Your book was delivered today and I have just finished it this minute. To say it is a compelling read is an understatement. It is beyond horrific what you and the other boys suffered. It reminded me of the black slavery of the South. I think you have shown enormous courage from beginning to end
Brid Fitzpatrick
Nadine Starks (Lyons)
Dear Mr. Finn,
Reading your book, even with the tears rolling down my face, then laughter, it really explains my Grandfather’s experience at Letterfrack too. He was there, from the age of 7 to 16. After his mother died, he was picked up for “running wild” on the streets and sent to Letterfrack, as it said on his incarceration notes. I do remember the stories he told me of the place. He never got into graphic detail, but told me of the severe cold, hunger and boys who were beaten to death and were buried in the grounds. John Lyons was sentenced to Letterfrack in 1927 and released in 1938. The conditions were cruel and the treatment barbaric.
My family did petition for restitution after the Ryan Report was released and we received a small sum.
John Lyons married my grandmother, Rita Reilly and raised 14 children in Shantalla, Galway. I am his second eldest grandchild. He lived to a ripe old age of 87 and is now buried in Rahoon cemetery. Your account of Letterfrack will always stay with me, knowing that is how his childhood was at the hands of the Christian Brothers. I wish I had asked him more, inquired more, realized how bad it was. But he wouldn’t go into anymore detail.
I personally wrote the letter to the Ryan Commission after we investigated his stay at Letterfrack. I explained the conditions he had told me about and how his life was after.
I wanted to reach out to let you know that even three generations later, Letterfrack still haunts people in Galway.
Sincerely, Nadine Starks
Paul Curran
Hi Mickey,
Thank you for having the strength and courage to write your book on your experience in that hell-hole, My Dad (deceased now) and his brother were incarcerated in Letterfrack in 1954 under the so-called school attendance act 1926, they were only young boys also and the usual method of a guard and priest picked them up, stopped at the pub at the bottom of their road for dinner, locked the boys in the back of the morris minor in clear view of the boys homeplace, little did the poor angels know they woulnt see their family for several years of torture later, in to Carna District Court and away down the road of hell to Letterfrack… You are well aware of what lay ahead for them from there on… Haunted by there experience and unable to fit-in after there release back to Ardmore Kilkieran Connemara these two angry young men headed to london, drinking and fighting to try disperse some of their hatred and frustration towards priests, police, judges and anybody in or out of authority who tried to bully or further reduce their already taken moral. A hatred that never went away, What really went through their heads when they eventually closed their eyes at night i will never know…. For the people who were asking about finding out some details of family members who were in these so-called schools i can suggest as Mickey did, contact Dept of Education @ 0906483746 and request forms for access to records under the freedom of information acts 2014 also you can contact (archives section) Christian Brothers Province Centre, Griffith Avenue,Marino, Dublin 9 @ 01-8073300, these are not as helpful for obvious reasons but request any and all info they have also, tell them you want full disclosure of information that they have in their possession… You can also seek information from the H.S.E as some children were admitted to these hell homes through illness/mental etc… you may also try court records and national school records for further info… Thank you people so much for helping to put a voice to these atrocities and for taking them from underneath the carpet from which they were swept for so long,
Paul Curran Wexford
richard7906
Hi Paul
thank you for your comments.
RF
Chris
Hey Micky,
I wanted to tell you that you are a great inspiration for me. Life is never going to quit trying to kick your ass, but i have learned from your book: not giving up! You kidnap and force the readers to see through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy. You cry and laugh with him, as if you were his constant companion, like a fly on his shoulder or a loyaly friend. fascinating. I have suffered with him! Sometimes i found myself in it. Your writing style is very entertaining/authentic and at the same time you can manage the balance between drama and humor.
I do not read biographies, but the first chapter immediately caught my attention, and I had reading until late in the night. I couldn’t stop to read and i hoped the best for this boy! It’s the many small and big details that move me to Dublin in the 1960s. I was in Dublin a few years ago, as a student and I did not understand some of the Irish’s characteristics, I think now I do. I really like ireland and its people, but it saddens me how much the church controlled the state, even into the 90s. My Ma grew up in the DDR, a strong woman, but she once said that without us children she would have killed herself after my Dad died. The nuns here said I’m going to hell. That’s what I think about when I read about how single mothers and poor children were handled in Ireland at the time. I can feel the pain and thank you for all the true words. It was not easy for you to put all this on paper.
I would like to raise a question, but not here.
Best Regards, Chris
richard7906
Thank you, Chris, for your honest appraisal.
RF Heeney
Freddy ( Fred ) Lenihan
I was a boy at st Joseph’s cbs lr salthill Galway till July 1964 things were tough as they were else where in those years I found most of the brothers ok some very good to us kids that had no parents to send us money . Some were cruel and iv been in Australian sin15 /12/70 so iv missed all the story’s I can remember one boy that was continually Harare’s Ed by one brother boys name MICK DUNN nick named MUCKEY . I pray to GOD. he is ok I’d like to make contact with other boys of my time face book me feardorcha olionnachain
Andrew
Having been in two Industrial Schools I can attest the Letterfrack was the threat used against us if we got out of line. As bad as these places were it was drilled into us that Letterfrack was the worst.
I visited Letterfrack graveyard in 2004 to take a snap of all the grave stones of the children. Very eerie place.