Chapter 11 — Glin

Religious Congregations’ evidence

Mr Dunleavy BL, in his report on Glin Industrial School, examined the reasons for boys being admitted. During the period 1940 to 1947, he tabulated his findings as follows:

Reason for admission	Number
Destitution	111
Larceny	62
Not attending school	61
Wandering	49
Having a parent not a proper guardian	38
Parents unable to control child	12
Receiving alms	10
Being under the care of a parent with criminal habits	6
Homelessness	5
Fraudulent conversion	2
Housebreaking	2
Assault	2
Malicious damage	2
Total	362

The move to Glin

Mr Dunleavy BL, in his report on Glin Industrial School, examined the reasons for boys being admitted. During the period 1940 to 1947, he tabulated his findings as follows:

Reason for admission	Number
Destitution	111
Larceny	62
Not attending school	61
Wandering	49
Having a parent not a proper guardian	38
Parents unable to control child	12
Receiving alms	10
Being under the care of a parent with criminal habits	6
Homelessness	5
Fraudulent conversion	2
Housebreaking	2
Assault	2
Malicious damage	2
Total	362

His examination of the data revealed that, apart from one 12-year-old boy who was sentenced for a period of one and a half years, ‘not one of the boys above was committed for less than the maximum period allowed by law’. In short, no boy was to leave the School before the age of 16.

His examination of the data revealed that, apart from one 12-year-old boy who was sentenced for a period of one and a half years, ‘not one of the boys above was committed for less than the maximum period allowed by law’. In short, no boy was to leave the School before the age of 16.

He went on to note: Even if crimes such as larceny, truanting and housebreaking, which may well have been motivated by poverty are excluded from the list of offences directly attributable to poverty – it is clear that over 48% of the boys were committed to Glin as a direct consequence of their impoverished backgrounds.

He went on to note: Even if crimes such as larceny, truanting and housebreaking, which may well have been motivated by poverty are excluded from the list of offences directly attributable to poverty – it is clear that over 48% of the boys were committed to Glin as a direct consequence of their impoverished backgrounds.

Mr Dunleavy stated that, between 1947 and 1966, the reasons for admissions were as follows:

Reason for admission	Number
Having a parent not a proper guardian	218
Destitution	95
Larceny	35
Not attending school	12
Housebreaking	7
Wandering	6
Homelessness	4
Parents unable to control child	3
Receiving Alms	2
Parent unable to support child	2
Fraud	1
Being under the care of a parent with criminal habits	1
Total	386

Mr Dunleavy stated that, between 1947 and 1966, the reasons for admissions were as follows:

Reason for admission	Number
Having a parent not a proper guardian	218
Destitution	95
Larceny	35
Not attending school	12
Housebreaking	7
Wandering	6
Homelessness	4
Parents unable to control child	3
Receiving Alms	2
Parent unable to support child	2
Fraud	1
Being under the care of a parent with criminal habits	1
Total	386

The Industrial Schools Act (Ireland), 1868 had envisaged that each school be under the control of a Manager and Management Committee, with the day-to-day running of the school under the supervision of a Resident Manager. In Glin, however, as in all Christian Brothers’ industrial schools, the role of Resident Manager was assumed by the local Superior of the Community. The House Council, consisting of the Superior, Sub-Superior, and one or more Councillors, served as a form of Management Committee.

The Industrial Schools Act (Ireland), 1868 had envisaged that each school be under the control of a Manager and Management Committee, with the day-to-day running of the school under the supervision of a Resident Manager. In Glin, however, as in all Christian Brothers’ industrial schools, the role of Resident Manager was assumed by the local Superior of the Community. The House Council, consisting of the Superior, Sub-Superior, and one or more Councillors, served as a form of Management Committee.

The numbers in the primary school in Glin varied from a maximum of 212 boys, in the late 1940s, to 48 when the School closed in 1966. The average number of teachers who served on the staff was five.

The numbers in the primary school in Glin varied from a maximum of 212 boys, in the late 1940s, to 48 when the School closed in 1966. The average number of teachers who served on the staff was five.

The Resident Manager was responsible for the overall management of Glin on a day-to-day basis. The duties of the Resident Manager included the health and welfare of the boys, admission and discharge, staff, management of buildings and property, and interaction with Government Departments and other agencies. He was also the Superior of the Community and Manager of the Primary School. In this role the Resident Manager had the responsibilities now carried out by a Board of Management. The Resident Manager had responsibility for the educational life of the School, the lay teachers and the finance.

The Resident Manager was responsible for the overall management of Glin on a day-to-day basis. The duties of the Resident Manager included the health and welfare of the boys, admission and discharge, staff, management of buildings and property, and interaction with Government Departments and other agencies. He was also the Superior of the Community and Manager of the Primary School. In this role the Resident Manager had the responsibilities now carried out by a Board of Management. The Resident Manager had responsibility for the educational life of the School, the lay teachers and the finance.

From 1936 until 1966, Glin had eight Resident Managers, three of whom served terms of six years.