Leather Straps used by Christian Brothers

[G Lennon]

Hi all,

Firstly thank you for accepting me into the community. 

I am a researcher in Design History and Material Culture in Ireland. At the moment I am working on a project looking at the leather straps that were used by Christian Brothers. We know that these were manufactured by leatherworkers in Dublin city centre, like O'Donoghues, as well as by the boys in industrial schools like Artane and Letterfrack. 

I have been in contact with the Christian Brothers archivist who confirmed (unsurprisingly) that they have no documentation relating to the straps whatsoever. I've also been in contact with the fantastic people in the Redress section of the Department of Education, they were very willing to help but were disappointed to find that they had no additional information about these straps outside of what is included in the Ryan report.

I would be interested in speaking to anyone who could tell me more about the manufacture of these straps. I understand that it is an extremely sensitive subject but I feel that it is an area with high cultural and historical importance that has been consistently overlooked by church & state.

Any response, input, advice or criticism is welcome.

Thanks

[Christopher Neary]

I've sent information about the straps the Christian brother used to use I don't know if you're receiving my texts the straps were made in the shoemakers shop while I was at St Patrick's School Upton County Cork for 10 years I had to repair the straps I did send that information but I have no feedback Christy Neary

[G Lennon]

Hi Christopher. I seem to lock myself out of this website for a while so couldn't see replies until now. Thanks for your response! Seems to have mainly been made in the shoe shops but sometimes the harness makers - in the earlier days in Artane as I think they stopped making harnesses in early 20thC

[Christopher Neary]

Does anybody remember Brother Johnson brother O'Brian and brother Sullivan at St Patrick's Upton industrial School County Cork Johnson was the worst he seemed to enjoy knocking the s*** out in youngsters where did he go he should have been put in prison

[jack colleton]

Violent men were the mark of the best and bane of the institution.

[jack colleton]

The priesthood produced violent men who violated those under their care.