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?

DISCLAIMER

Before we begin this story, you should know this series reference 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.

If after listening you feel you need support, please visit the audible website for links to organisations that can help you.

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 archaeologist's is called in to shine light on the graveyard’s past.

Episode 5: Our Cross To Bear

Disclaimer:

How are you all doing so far? I just wanted to let you know that shortly they’ll be a reference to self-harm…please take care when listening and also just a reminder, there are organisations that can help and support you on the Audible website.

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.

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.