Asylum: Omagh and Antrim (HOS/29/1)
Registration Number: 9177

Hi, my name is Alison from Carrickfergus.

Robert was tall, muscular and with red hair. He was born in September 1886 in Pomeroy, County Tyrone. He was the youngest of 8 children to farmers William and Martha. At 26 Robert was admitted to Omagh Asylum with what was termed “adolescence” and “religious delusion”, then discharged after 9 months to return home to the family farm.

In August 1918, forty-year-old Robert was admitted to Antrim Asylum after attacking policemen and civilians with a knife in Lisburn. This time Robert was described as “acutely maniacal and with hallucinations…now unkempt, being kept in bed and spoon-fed”. Robert had been working as a Probationary Wardmaster in the Belfast Workhouse. 

In the Financial Minutes of the Workhouse, Robert’s health is discussed and tells of how permission was granted for the police to take him to the Antrim asylum in the Workhouse ambulance. He was released from the asylum in October 1918 and taken home by his brother John. 

Robert was due to go back to work on 14 November but unfortunately as noted in the Workhouse minutes of November 1918 his brother John then informed them that Robert’s belongings would be collected by his sister living in Belfast. I would assume he did not return to work. 

In 1941 Robert, now a labourer, died in Porthall, County Donegal aged 55 years, with his wife Mary by his side. This is my Haiku:

soft breath of cattle

rough twitch of ears,

frosty morning sunset

I felt very emotionally engaged in Robert’s story and hope I have brought him to life. Contrary to what I believed about asylums and workhouses, Robert seemed to be cared for by those he met there and they did their best for him with the resources and knowledge they had at this time. Doing this research has made me ask more questions than I have been able to answer but I will continue my research on Robert from 1918 until his death.

Robert McLaughlin by Alison Walsh

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Robert McLaughlin by Alison Walsh

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