'Religion ruled. Practically everything was a sin'

'Religion ruled. Practically everything was a sin'

Maura remembers how Catholic doctrines ruled society and influenced her attitude towards boys as a child.

Maura Corr

Trinity College Dublin

1947

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Maura Corr

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

Dublin

1940s

Religion ruled. Practically everything was a sin. Sex was never mentioned even though there were unaccounted children in families, they were accepted by us children. One never questioned.The boys were almost aliens to us who attended all girls schools. They were never mentioned.We did have the boys from the Industrial School in Artane who passed by regularly. They passed in orderly file, neat and clean, accompanied by an older brother in charge.We had a Corpus Christi procession in their school grounds in summer. We old and young would sing hymns and pray but we never mingled.I can still hear the cries of Bobby a local boy, who was there for mitching. He escaped home, but was dragged back to Artane by his mother. His cries haunt me still.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)