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Wednesday night RTE 1 programme about history of St Lomans Mental hospital over decades; include names of people who spoke like Niall Breslin, Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly

Thought for 1m 19s

The RTÉ One documentary All That Remains, presented by musician and mental health advocate Niall Breslin (also known as Bressie), explores the history of St Loman’s Psychiatric Hospital (formerly St Loman’s Lunatic Asylum) in Mullingar, Ireland. Aired on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 9:35 p.m., the program delves into the institution’s operations over several decades, highlighting the treatment of patients, the societal attitudes toward mental health, and the stories of over 1,300 individuals buried in unmarked graves on the hospital grounds. laois-nationalist.ie +2 It uncovers cases of adults and children who were committed, often for minor or unjust reasons, and died there, with their graves originally marked only by numbered metal crosses that were later removed. laois-nationalist.ie +1 The documentary also addresses ongoing campaigns for memorials, public apologies, and investigations into similar sites across Ireland.

Key individuals who appeared or spoke in the program include:

• Niall Breslin: The lead presenter, who returns to his hometown of Mullingar to investigate the hospital’s past and advocate for restoring dignity to those buried there.
• Prof. Brendan Kelly: A psychiatrist who provides expert commentary on the legacy of psychiatric care in Ireland and the historical context of institutions like St Loman’s. rte.ie
• Julienne Clarke: A family member and campaigner who initiated an online effort (via friendsofjulia.com) to identify and honor the deceased; she shares the story of her great-aunt Julia Leonard, who was committed in the late 1800s after a domestic dispute and reportedly stated, “I’m not mad, neither are half the people in here!” laois-nationalist.ie +1
• John Daly: An interviewee who presents photos taken by his father, historian and photographer Leo Daly, documenting life and conditions at St Loman’s. @RTEOne
• Family of Josephine Kelly: Relatives who discuss Josephine’s story—she was admitted at age 7 and died there 10 years later—calling for a public apology and full investigation into Ireland’s institutional practices.

The program has sparked discussions on Ireland’s dark history of institutionalization, with calls for greater access to records from organizations like the HSE and broader recognition of survivors’ experiences. It is available for streaming on RTÉ Player.

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Details on Josephine Kelly’s story

Other Irish institutions like Magdalene Laundries