Chapter 6 — Everyday life experiences (male witnesses)

Play and recreation

Apart from participation in organised Gaelic team sports the most frequent reports regarding recreation were of witnesses playing in the yard and making their own entertainment. In addition, handball and boxing were reported as recreational activities by 131 witnesses and a small number competed nationally. Many witnesses discharged before the mid-1960s reported that performing drill movements and gymnastics for long periods was a common activity and was feared by those who were not well co-ordinated, due to the harsh nature of some ‘drill masters’.

Indoor recreation facilities and activities were less frequently reported but included table tennis, card and board games, reading and listening to the radio in recreation halls. Witnesses described the limited availability of recreational equipment and resources. One hundred and eleven (111) witnesses reported they enjoyed attending films both within the Schools and in later years at local cinemas. Sixty-four (64) witnesses reported that long regimented walks on Sundays in silence ‘in line like a crocodile’ were less than enjoyable. Routes described by witnesses were up to 10 miles long.

Six (6) senior Schools were reported to have had bands and the Committee heard 40 witness accounts of playing in the band as a recreational activity. As with some competitive sports being a band member provided opportunities to travel around the country, including trips to race meetings, regattas and other local sporting events and, in some instances, overseas. Band membership and associated activities were regarded as a privilege and provided welcome respite from the institution. As with other activities that had a public component, band performances also provided opportunities for extra food. It was reported that these privileges were counter-balanced by exceptional demands on their performance, appearance and general behaviour.

In a small number of Schools summer holidays and trips to the seaside were a popular break from the everyday routine of life. Thirty three (33) witnesses from Schools situated near the sea, lakes or rivers described being taken swimming and also for holidays at the seaside. Recreation all depended on the Brother, if he had an interest. There was one Brother who loved swimming. He brought us all the time, you could go down and dive in.

Witnesses reported improvements in recreational facilities and equipment after the 1960s. These changes included the development of external links to local communities, involvement in local clubs, outings to the cinema, new playground equipment, increased availability of library facilities and more access to television and radio. A further change reported in the 1980s was of residents being divided into small groups with individual facilities for play and recreation in each group.

Education

Classroom education at primary level was described as mainly provided on-site in the Schools prior to the 1970s with classrooms either located within the same buildings or on the grounds of the Schools. In the majority of boys Schools reported to the Committee primary level classrooms were segregated and not attended by children from the local area. Teaching staff were described as both religious and lay and predominantly male. Witnesses discharged up to and during the 1960s reported that generally their classroom education finished when they were 14 years old with a few accounts heard of witnesses attending either technical or secondary school during that period.

All 413 male witnesses reported attending primary school for some time during their admission to the Schools. Eighty five (85) witnesses reported passing their Primary Certificate examinations. An additional 65 witnesses reported attending technical or secondary schools in the local area, mainly since the 1970s. Twenty five (25) of these witnesses received their Group, Intermediate or Leaving Certificates. Twenty (20) witnesses described the positive value of the education and training they received.

Prior to the 1970s, classroom attendance in a number of Schools was described as generally confined to the morning period followed by afternoons spent working in the trade workshops or on the farms. A number of witnesses reported being removed from the classroom to work full-time. Many witnesses stated that the main emphasis in the School was on manual work for the institution with minimal emphasis on academic education apart from Irish and religion: Education was not important. You were moved from class to class; the main aim was to get you working at 14. The teachers ran a strict regime rather than provide knowledge.

Many witnesses described their time in the classroom as dominated by fear, the anticipation of being abused and that the classrooms were frightening places.

Witnesses reported that there was little assistance for residents who found school work difficult. There were a small number of exceptions where accounts were heard of special arrangements being made to meet the residents’ particular educational needs. In a small number of Schools remedial help was provided for residents who had learning difficulties.

Witnesses discharged during and since the 1970s more often reported that their education continued beyond the primary school level. Those who attended secondary and technical schools in the local area appreciated the benefit this opportunity allowed to have contact with the outside world. They also reported a consequent reduction of abuse and bullying from both staff and residents in the Schools. A small number of witnesses reported being sent out of the institution to mainstream boarding schools and were encouraged to do the Leaving Certificate examinations and to enrol in higher education colleges.

The majority of witnesses reported finishing their classroom education by the time they were 14 years old. The following table shows the reported school leaving age of male witnesses:

Reported school leaving age	Number of witnesses
Under 10 years	2
10–12 years	29
13–14 years	260
15–16 years	100
Over 16 years	17
Not available	5
Total Witnesses	413

Three hundred and thirty seven (337) witnesses (82%) reported that they left school when they were aged 14 years or over. There were 71 witnesses who reported that their classroom education finished before the official school leaving age and five for whom there was no information available.

Religion

The practice of religious observance was reported to have brought comfort and sanctuary to some witnesses and hurt to others. There were 381 accounts of regular attendance at Mass in the 26 Schools that were reported to the Committee, with daily Mass more commonly reported by witnesses discharged before the mid-1970s. Daily Rosary, evening benediction and prayers were described as part of the regular timetable by 187 witnesses. Attendance at Mass was either within the institution or at the local parish church where witnesses generally reported being segregated from local people: ‘We sat in our own corner’; ‘We had to attend side chapel in the local parish church’.

Catechism was reported by many witnesses to have been taught ‘vigorously’ in the classroom to the detriment of other lessons.