Chapter 12 — Salthill

Neglect and emotional abuse

A similar theme pervaded the Visitation Reports of the 1940s, and the shocking state of the Institution was referred to again and again.

The 1944 Visitation Report noted the shabby state of the boys’ refectory and dilapidated condition of the outbuildings.

Dr McCabe conducted a General Inspection of the School in June 1944 and, once again, noted the tattered and patched state of the children’s clothing and footwear. The Resident Manager complained about the difficulty in obtaining supplies and the prohibitive cost of material. He criticised the practice under which children were discharged into the care of their parents after spending only a short time in the Institution. This had a destabilising effect on the other children. He also regarded it as unfair that the Brothers fit these children out with new clothes, only for them to leave a short time later. Dr McCabe also noted that the premises were badly in need of repair.

In 1946, the Visitor expressed concern at the dangerous state of the workshops. He noted that there were seven boys employed in the bakery, which supplied the needs of the School. This workshop was dirty, with cobwebs everywhere. Five boys were employed in the laundry. He was critical of the laundry facilities, the torn bedclothes and the clothing of the boys.

The Visitor in 1947 noted that a series of long overdue renovations were underway.

The following year, the Visitor noted a number of improvements to the premises, including the dormitories, infirmary, bathroom, recreation hall and dining hall.

Despite the improvements introduced at the end of the 1940s, the Visitation Report for 1950 was still critical of the conditions for the boys and the Brothers. The Visitor observed that there was little in the way of recreation for the boys and that ‘life is rather drab here for boys and Brothers. The boys can have little healthy to talk about’. He noted that the schoolyard was in a deplorable condition, the concrete being badly broken. He suggested the introduction of two young Brothers to the Community to inject some life into the Institution.

The Visitation Report for 1950 stated that ‘a wave of immorality’ had been discovered, which was dealt with by means of a four-day retreat for the boys.

In 1951, the Visitor drew attention to the unsuitability of the boys’ dormitories. They were housed in two reconstructed old mills and were badly ventilated. He did not notice any improvement the following year: ‘Conditions are just tolerable but no effort is made to put the touch of finality on either cleanliness or good order’. Tailoring and shoemaking were the only trades catered for in the School, and he recommended that a carpenter’s shop be opened.

Dr McCabe conducted an Inspection of the School in June 1953 and, while she accepted that the School was well run, she noted that many improvements were required. She suggested a new washing machine and colander for the laundry.

In March 1954, the Visitor observed some improvements in the appearance of the premises. He criticised the boys’ kitchen with its out-dated cooking equipment and only one functioning boiler that provided for all of the needs of the School. The pantry was damp, covered in cobwebs, and unsuitable for the storage of food. He noted that the bread supplied by the in-house bakery was anything but appetising. In October of the same year, Dr McCabe reported that a newly appointed Resident Manager had plans for many improvements, including installation of a new kitchen unit, new sanitary annex with showers and a new heating system, as well as resurfacing the yard.

By the time of the Visitation in February 1956, many renovations and improvements had been made to the boys’ kitchen, bathrooms, dining hall, school rooms and workshops. New equipment was introduced to the kitchen and an immersion heater installed. Improvements were again acknowledged in the Report of 1957, particularly to the dormitories and kitchen.

The 1958 Visitation Report noted that hot water was now available in the dormitories and that the boys had baths every fortnight.

Major repair works took place during the early 1960s, which saw a new block constructed housing a dormitory and bathroom facilities. The primary school building was updated and new furniture purchased. A central heating system was installed.

Fr Henry Moore, who wrote a critical report on Artane in the early 1960, was complimentary about Salthill. He said that he had visited a number of industrial schools at that time, including Salthill. He knew the Manager in Salthill, as they had been raised in the same orphanage: Now, albeit it was a very small school in comparison to Artane, I was very impressed by his management and by the way he treated the boys. They looked very well, they were very well dressed and I was quite happy with my experience there ... I thought Salthill was more civilised and more happier.