RTÉ documentary led by Niall Breslin examines Ireland’s unmarked 'lunatic asylum' graves

Niall 'Bressie' Breslin will embark on an emotional journey in All That Remains, when he honours more than 1,300 Irish people buried in unmarked graves on the grounds of what was once known as St Loman’s Hospital.

The RTÉ documentary will follow Breslin as he returns to his native Mullingar to work alongside the families of the forgotten to honour the people buried in unmarked graves on site, which was formerly St Loman’s Lunatic Asylum.

Together, they seek to restore the graveyard as a sacred place of remembrance while questioning how many similar burial sites exist across Ireland.

Breslin uncovers the stories of adults and children who were committed to the institution, died there, and were buried beneath numbered metal crosses without names. Today, those crosses have been removed, leaving little trace of the lives once lived.

The programme also highlights an online campaign initiated by family member Julienne Clarke, through which some families have reinstated the names of their ancestors at the graveyard.

Campaigners are now calling for the construction of a memorial wall to honour all who rest there.

Julienne Clarke’s great aunt, Julia Leonard, was sent to St Loman’s in the late 1800s. Julia was one of many committed to places like St Loman’s under vague legislation like the ‘Dangerous Lunatics Act.’

Julia threw tea at her husband Christopher, who was cheating on her. He committed her to St Loman’s and sent their five children into a workhouse. She is quoted as saying: “I’m not mad, neither are half the people in here!”

All That Remains will air on Wednesday, March 11th,  on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.