The Madman's Hotel
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The Madman's Hotel
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Narrated by:
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Niall Breslin
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By:
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Niall Breslin
About this listen
In the heart of the rolling green hills of Ireland a huge abandoned psychiatric asylum looms large and holds its secrets close, until one family fights to find the truth about their long-lost great grandmother.
Presented by Irish mental health advocate Niall Breslin - this is the untold story of the quest to find patient Julia Leonard, alongside many others, who came to die in St Loman’s Hospital near Dublin. Why was Julia in St Loman’s? And what happened to her and other patients who found themselves within its walls? Niall joins the campaign to find out the truth, as he knows the hospital well… he grew up in the town next door.
As the family reach out for Niall’s help, along the way he reveals Ireland’s dark history with ‘lunatic asylums’ and why so many of its citizens were locked away in these forbidding institutions.
Will they find the woman they’re looking for? Will there be justice for her and the other souls once detained behind those walls? And what other secrets will be uncovered?
This series references themes around mental health and death. There is some strong language at times too. We also use historical language – some of which is inappropriate or offensive – but was normalised at the time and is important to include for context.
Episode 1 - Julia
Who was Julia Leonard? There are two sides to her story and how she ended up in St Loman’s psychiatric hospital. As her great granddaughter Julie Clarke begins a tireless quest to understand the tragedy of her family, presenter Niall Breslin faces his greatest fear as he starts to delve deep into Ireland’s dark history with ‘lunatic’ asylums.
Episode 2 - Seeking Asylum
So, what was life like for Julia within St Loman’s walls at the turn of the last century? While Niall helps Julie Clarke hunt for her great grandmother’s remains they uncover a disturbing family secret.
Episode 3 - Don’t Be Asking Questions
A family torn apart by an institution and community silence, finds each other and a common cause to return dignity to those buried at St Loman’s. A straightforward request for an exhumation turns into a bureaucratic quagmire and another mystery emerges.
Episode 4 - No Man’s Land
The dig for Julia’s remains throws up more questions than answers. One of Ireland’s leading archaeologists is called in to shine light on the graveyard’s past.
Episode 5 - Our Cross To Bear
This episode contains a reference to self-harm. Please take care when listening.
Niall reveals his own struggle with mental health growing up in the shadow of St Loman’s in Mullingar. Niall and Julie organise a community event to find more families searching for answers and someone unexpected gets in touch.
Episode 6 - The Power Of A Name
The community event attracts other families and Niall discovers other stories connected with the graveyard and St Loman’s. It’s time for Niall to get real answers from those in charge of the hospital today and Julie takes matters into her own hands.
Episode 7 - The ‘Decent Thing’
After years of trying to get the answers they need, Niall and Julie finally get acknowledgement and an explanation from the powers that be.
If you are affected by any of the themes in this series, the following organisations offer support and information:
- Samaritans - call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie (or the Samaritans Welsh Language Line is 0808 164 0123)
- mind.org.uk
- Other international crisis helplines can be found at befrienders.org
- cruse.org.uk
- alustforlife.com
- friendsofjulia.com
Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.
©2024 Audible Ltd. (P)2024 Audible Ltd.Listeners also enjoyed...
About the Creator and Performer
What listeners say about The Madman's Hotel
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrea
- 24-10-24
Thought provoking. You won’t be able to stop listening
I have Irish family on my grandmothers side and also family, as well as my own, mental health struggles. When I started listening I worked it would be one sided by hats off to the team for trying present as many sides in this debate as possible, even if there was an obvious overriding preference. It is a fitting tribute to those who struggle and struggled with mental health.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Jane
- 29-10-24
Wonderful piece of work
The story in itself is interesting but I enjoyed the flow and story telling as well as the exploration and discussion of mental health - thank you for sharing
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- boredmeow
- 23-10-24
Atmosphere and informative
This is a thought provoking listen about an often hidden part of Ireland’s recent past.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Miss Clair Slater
- 29-10-24
Interesting insight
You feel the frustration of the families with the way this story is written and narrated. The desolation and horror of what the patients went through is mind blowing to think of in this day & age.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin Buttrick
- 22-10-24
Very thoughtful
Wonderful and thought provoking. Stayed at a mental hospital now a hotel. How it must be changed
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joanna
- 29-10-24
Fascinating, emotional & insightful
A good podcast for me makes me intrigued by the subject matter, engaged by the presenter and informed by the journalistic style and the discoveries made. The Madman’s Hotel succeeded in all areas and I’m writing this feeling quite emotional about the stories of Julia and the other patients, their relatives and Niall himself.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-11-24
Beautiful yet sad
I was absolutely absorbed in the story right from the beginning. Such an important topic
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Hen
- 01-11-24
excellent
very well told story. an eye opener that everyone should listen to. nicely narrated too
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bibliobob
- 15-11-24
Well researched.
Very well made and researched.
My own Grandmother was in St Lomonds several times ( a break between all the childbirth, pregnancies and miscarriages) she was (or so we were always told) given ECT. She survived, although maybe not mentally.
She was (i now believe) neurodivergent, as are most of the rest of my family.
Poor woman.
Thank you for this.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Roseyposey55
- 28-11-24
Thought Provoking
Wonderful narration by Niall
A brilliant determined person to achieve so much in finding her relative Thank you
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