Exploring an Abandoned Boys Prison in Ireland

In this video, we explore the abandoned Lisnevin Boys Prison on the east coast of Northern Ireland. We visited the property during our 2021 trip across seas, taking in it's dated architecture and old features.
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[@V19KEEandP33ETO]

‘Take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints’. Well done guys, great to see you 📸 👏🏻

[@tommy-0791]

I was in here on two occasions for five weeks (84 and 85) for running away from St Patrick's training school ( school for kids out of control). It wasn't a bad place and the staff were reasonably trained to deal with us kids in a fair way. Hyde bank borstal ( the next port of call) was brutal in the 80s which I did six months in. Some of the prison officer's were ex British soldiers, RUC/police and prison officer's who couldn't hack it in other prisons with the IRA-Republicans and Loyalists prisoners, so they would take their anger (mental health) out on us. Good to have a look back into my childhood. Many thanks and keep up the good work.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Great video, so well presented. I think its sad seeing this building left to rot when its structually sound. The location by the sea would make it a great apartment block. Thank you for this video 💕🇦🇺

[@MolloyPolloy]

You couldn't imagine the horrors that happened in that building.

[@themuffinman2249]

It’s been bought by Northland Developments. To be turned into apartments actually

[@elaine.crissy.t2112]

@@themuffinman2249 it's actually been bought to turn into a hotel ...

[@themuffinman2249]

I was was under the impression it was apartments, perhaps I misunderstood them. Regardless it’s a nice looking building by the sea so whatever it ends up as will look lovely I’m sure. Probably won’t be for quite a while though

[@Urbandoned]

No problem, really happy that you enjoyed it

[@mandymoseley4868]

The enquiry into the abuse of children in Ireland concluded with the government being found guilty. During and after the trial over 90 people committed suicide 💔. Currently the victims are being paid compensation. I have friends who were involved in the court case as victims of the abuse.

[@MolloyPolloy]

Systematic physical, sexual and mental abuse and they knew it was going on. Even the gardai knew but did nothing. An absolute fucking disgrace and so shameful. And most abusers got away with their crimes. Rotton cunts. RIP the suicide victims.

[@seamusburke9101]

@@MolloyPolloy the Guards are the most evil corrupt organisation on this planet.

[@almilhouse9059]

No children should ever have been abused.... Utterly vile how the church, Garda and government were all in on it..... Shocking

[@656ui8]

Ireland needs to stop its a corrupt country the gards are corrupt the government is even worse get em out

[@trevorbest-gn2dq]

Why would the Gardia do anthing? This is on Millisle, Northern Ireland.

[@davidmunro-ford1423]

Those 2 courtroom rooms with the single chairs facing the wall would have been a video link to the local court house.That saved having to actually drive them to the local court house.The chairs as you said were bolted to the floor in case an inmate got pissed off with the judges decision and picked up thje chair and threw it at the video screen

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for letting us know, we were quite curious

[@fionagreenwood3231]

Exactly

[@quack437]

Be surprised if that was for video links to the court that place closed in 2003 the use of video link appearances didnt start occurring until a few years later

[@andrewphillips4508]

I love the bird song in the back ground

[@Urbandoned]

That was completely natural.... ;)

[@edwardbentley3512]

My dad used to work for dominion, they made woodworking machines and were based at Hipperholme. They shut down in the early 90s

[@michelob81]

Brilliant video. I was in Lisnevin early 80s. This brings back some memories. They used to take us for clothes to ballywalter factory shop. Some of the worst clothes ever seen. After time they were given a budget to buy decent stuff. Most of the staff were really good people.

[@Doofnut040tv]

I've been there a few times now, first time I came across two ex - "residents" as they said they used to live there. From what they said, there where only two successful breakouts, and numerous riots in the canteen. At some point in the last 4 - 5 months, someone has come in and gutted the wiring out of the floors, cutting deep holes across the blocks. Terrible shame, as the place showed such beautiful decay in areas.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Really atmospheric, my team had to bring in optical fibre for BT many years ago. Kept thinking about it being a "bad boys home", that my Mum had threatened me with.

[@HotpointWD420G]

This is actually situated in Millisle Northern Ireland County Down

[@liamkatt6434]

You may wonder about the pink walls in a boys Borstal? Studies carried out some time back found that pink is the best colour to calm angry prisoners down, regardless of gender or the lack of gender.

[@MatthewLaverty128]

Lack of gender doesn't make since

[@nataliesmith303]

Such a great find despite its history. Looking forward to you guys going back to Glasgow 😀

[@Urbandoned]

Hope you enjoyed another Glasgow Schools video

[@59patrickw]

The reason they are called Borstal is the first one was in the village called Borstal in Kent England in 1902 so hence the name If you went to one you learnt a trade for when you got out i.e. plumber electrician brick layer , hard no play stations wore a uniform of sorts one place you did not want to go back to that was in the 1960

[@Urbandoned]

That's really interesting, thanks for telling us! I'm glad they aren't built anymore, definitely past their time

[@sarahstrong7174]

They served a purpose. It is good if everyone can learn a really useful, skilled, trade so that everyone has a chance to earn their living. Instead of finding that they have left school & have no usefull skills, & not a clue how to make some money.

[@sarahstrong7174]

@@Urbandoned The quality of the place depended very much on the governer & staff. Good staff could make a real difference to a young person. There are modern equivalents extant of course. I do not know whether they have been able to reduce the reoffending rate much though. No doubt there is still bullying & abuse, that goes on everywhere

[@elliottprice6084]

I can't fault this video. The way it was presented, filmed and the commentary were all spot on. It's so sad that the mansion on the sight has been left to decay

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you so much!

[@marymoor935]

Explore the Isle of Wight, I reckon it could hold some hidden gems. Great video, yet again guys😁❤️

[@Urbandoned]

We have been wanting to for some time

[@spudders9034]

Live just up the road from this, so cool to see this video!

[@ronnierocket1819]

Hi, thanks for another explore. allways enjoy what you do.

[@TWH442]

Them rooms with the single chair wouldve been for court appearances done via tv screens. They would sit in the chair and be visible in court on a screen.

[@RetroFabuloso]

Haha. I was threatened with the naughty boys home so many times growing up. I'm a girl too. This is great. Always wanted to see inside but not live there 🤣

[@Urbandoned]

I'm sure many were! Doesn't help when your parents have that on their doorstep if you were naughty! Glad we could show you the interior :)

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

I’m sure you would have been quite popular, well-received, very closely guarded and rigorously protected, and wanted for nothing.

[@patriciarussell756]

Wow, seems harsh place for such young boys.Neat explore!

[@Dazzy84]

Brilliant video! I pass that place every time i go to my caravan. Had been tempted to go in there myself, but now i dont need to. 😁 lol

[@christopherkeogh5337]

Spent a while in there back in the early 00s just as grim as I remember it

[@roisinmc7442]

This is just along from my house. Always creeps me out when I drive past it!!! Great location and stunning views here on the ards peninsula and it overlooks the sea. If you've seen the recent BBC show Hope Street it's filmed here and you'll have seen the beautiful scenery.

[@Urbandoned]

It was a beautiful place, truly made the first day of our trip! We'll have to check it out

[@jamesgallagher4655]

Loved the Hope Street location and was amazed at the time it was on tv that it was in Northern Ireland.

[@roisinmc7442]

@@jamesgallagher4655 i have a relative in it. They are currently filming series 2, wrapping this week which will be on in autumn/winter and there's at least one more series for definite so you'll be seeing more of it!

[@jamesgallagher4655]

@@roisinmc7442 Thankyou for your feedback Roisin. I will certainly look forward to watching later in the year. The cast and the characters they play are excellent and the location is beautiful.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Isle of Man would be an interesting one to explore

[@DEAD-DROP]

Amazing work once again guys!

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks :)

[@robfellows4096]

Beautiful shots of the colours and decay in the corridors. Now that you've made an excellent document of the place I wouldn't complain, given it's history, if the main building was reduced to rubble. Perhaps some of the wall paintings could be saved - after all if they can do it for a Banksy? Most depressing sight in the place was that tree wrapped in razor wire. Great film yet again!

[@Urbandoned]

It would be great if museums took samples of those paintings and they were really good and quite telling. Glad we were able to highlight the facility

[@richiehoyt8487]

Given the fact that the murals seem to mostly have the same overarching theme (X~Men/superheros), it's my guess that they were the Borstal management's idea. Of course it may well be that some of the prisoners may have had a role in the actual painting, or may have even had an input into the subject matter - not to suggest that these industrial schools are exactly noted as being bastions of democracy!

[@DRSEXPLORING]

What a brilliant explore. I don't think it will be long until the manor house near the prison gets totally vandalised.

[@jadelmao4659]

Going to a caravan park here all the time as a kid I was always threatened with the bad boys home when misbehaving lol. I’m currently sat in a park beside it now learning into it.

[@mygreatescape9617]

Absolutely beautiful architecture you don't see buildings like that every day here in the USA, you have a new subscriber thank you for sharing, much love from your friend across the pond 🙏❤️

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you! Maybe we will come to the US one day

[@mygreatescape9617]

@@Urbandoned I hope you guys do come to the US, we have so many haunted places here and abandoned places some you can get into but by appointment only

[@DKGCustom]

Great video guys. from Alex's uncle Dunc. Glad I finally found your channel. (well BBC helped)

[@Urbandoned]

Hi Duncan! Hope you like what you found!

[@grahamdolding4840]

sorry but that site is just down the road from me and i live in NORTHERN IRELAND not ireland and as for your statement that the locals have carried out the damage to the site is a complete guess and out of order as millisle has at least 4 caravan parks around it and people staying in these parks could well have done the damage

[@chewu]

4:35 I don't know if it was paid labour they were doing, but because they were boys I would hope/think that it was training so they could find a job when they got out.

[@cordellestewart4997]

Nope it was basically slave labour this place is about 7 miles from we’re i grew up in a seaside village its has been and investigated for terrible historical abuse there has been a large payment awarded to victims I know people who were in it that still live in my town they were the only two people in history to break out of the borstal the abuse the boys went through is disgusting with staff and so called religious leaders involved

[@JohnMcMahon.]

@8:28, those little rooms were used for court appearances via video link, which became quite common, especially for less serious cases. It is a lot easier than driving prisoners to and from court, which takes up man hours and resources.

[@plumduff3303]

Brilliant work 👏

[@Ronald7077]

Courtroom 1 &2 are for video links if summoned to court to give evidence or for external counselling

[@fionagreenwood3231]

Thank you very much xxxx

[@carolinehoward180]

Great explore! Thanks 🙏

[@Aindriuh]

The doors were a pinky purple colour as that is believed to act as a calming influence on the inmates.

[@ewanfenton6731]

Our lady's hospital in Ennis is a good one to see. Lots to see there. Mainly stripped but still worthy of a video. Important to enter from the back as the front staircase is alarmed. Very cool building.

[@Urbandoned]

We did that one a few years ago! Really special place, despite there being little remaining

[@dawnpetrie6160]

Some of the old prison wardens houses have now been renovated and sold as dwellings. Not sure what the plans are for the main house and old prison.

[@Urbandoned]

We noticed that! Some appeared unoccupied, but maybe a sign for the rest of the complex

[@dawnpetrie6160]

@@Urbandoned the Gym has been taken over by a church and used regularly

[@davidsimons5944]

Not everyday you see someone breaking INTO prison!

[@Urbandoned]

It's a lot easier than breaking out! ;)

[@george-ev1dq]

That place never became Lisnevin until 1981, the original Lisnevin was located at Milecross just outside Newtownards.

[@MickRick-m6l]

@@george-ev1dq you are right it was in newtownards I was in it👍

[@SuperLonesomeboatman]

The chairs are nailed down so they can't be thrown at anyone, but usually the official reason given will be "So the persons face will always remain on cctv"

[@andrewjames3908]

those court rooms would have been for video links to the main cort in the city for remote interviews etc there is bt isdn boxes on the wall

[@plantaseed8221]

The white outside building was used as training camp for the screws late 90s I think 🤔. Takes me right back holy f

[@Chrisss2112]

Your narration is brilliant! Too cool to finding the blueprints of this place. 👍😊. Very sad to hear the history of this place. I’m from the USA and wouldn’t have a clue as to where you could explore, but, I’d like to see any abandoned mansions/castles if possible? You lads are rock stars in my eyes. Thank you 😊

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you! We are seeking some more mansions very soon

[@cyriuxx5750]

In regards to the pink colour scheme, some prisons did that (or so I've read) because the pink would make the boy's less likely to fight or be violent due to something behind the colour.

[@2001annmarie]

Video court rooms they didn’t have them there when I spent 4 years from 1985-1989 it was handcuffed and taken in the horse box or the school minibus to Belfast juvenile court or Lisburn district court 😂

[@liamkatt6434]

Those washing machines and dryers cost a fortune. So sad to se them damaged. Hotels, nursing homes, hostels etc would love them.

[@billmorrison4746]

Must have been a miserable place to be 😰

[@antoanto5301]

Great video guys, documentary quality! Around the 14th minute that reversed window in the door was creepy, why would staff/inmates NOT be allowed to see into the room?

[@Urbandoned]

Your absolutely welcome, that is the quality we strive to achieve. It was very strange and we aren't sure. Usually, it's the other way round

[@elissamarsh9288]

Only thing I could think is if it was used as a cell for when people needed more time out? For misbehaviour perhaps and stops other inmates looking in. Not sure

[@jameselliott9002]

the court rooms only have one chair as their use a video link to the court where the plugs are on the wall a monitor to see the court and camera would be there to save transportation to and from the courts theses are common in British prisons

[@DavidJohnston58]

Could be wrong but I believe the little courtrooms were actually for video links to actual court.

[@Urbandoned]

You're right, I believe

[@davidraynorsnow]

Love how you are against the vandalism and graphiti

[@amyhasell8506]

Scotland! I know you've done a fair few Glasgow/Scotland visits but it would be amazing to see some ventures in the highlands/some castles...even some more Glasgow based locations like the abandoned Botanic Gardens Railway (not sure how easily accessible that is with recent filming being done there) 👏

[@jamielarkin1134]

That building's down near where I live, it's rumoured to be haunted and there have been numerous paranormal shows filming there for tv over the years.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

You know those beds could tell some stories

[@09weenic]

You weirdo

[@bwheeler9185]

Back in the day, they thought the color 'pink' was calming - which is why some prisons used it

[@Urbandoned]

That makes more sense, thank you for the insight

[@seracing6785]

There is an amazing 3 mill cottages in Shropshire that we walk to only 5 people know about it and we found a bakery and dogs get feelings and won't go near it also there was bullets found

[@Mrnovaboy]

At 15:55 Read the message on the wall on the right😢

[@AbandonedBuildings-b3x]

Love all the video;s

[@michaelbloomfield7525]

Was in there 1979 it was run like a boot camp it still in my head 42 years later

[@paulsaul7674]

Where is this?

[@MickRick-m6l]

Went in in 79 got released from the closed December 80,

[@MickRick-m6l]

Me too 😁

[@trevorbest-gn2dq]

Were the adjacent houses empty as well? I thought they were occupied but could be wrong. The correct pronunciation is Lis-NEV-in, the emphasis on Nev not in. Not art deco bannisters, this part of the building built in 1960's and those style of rails were used in many public buildings ( schools etc)

[@DaRealist7]

This is in Northern Ireland, not Ireland

[@paulsaul7674]

It's in Northern where?

[@EddieRiff]

chap's re-camera hand held, it's what's known as the "Fluid feel" think Blair witch. best type of camera/filming technique there is.

[@Eireóg1916]

This is not in Ireland, its in Northern Ireland.

[@AbsurdlyAwkward]

The main building I heard used to be a summer home when first built and is rumoured to be haunted

[@jennyleishman9617]

It’s called a Borstal…they were called Borstal Boys…On a Sunday morning they brought the Boys into Donaghadee 3miles from Millisle were they worshiped in the local Methodist church….they wore grey suits…..

[@MickRick-m6l]

Was sent here in 79 was released in December 80 from the closed 🤒 mental time

[@MickRick-m6l]

Me Too lol I went there from the crum in 79 and before that st pat's, I lost my SP and got released from the closed 🔐 mad time's

[@MickRick-m6l]

I was in st pats for 19 months straight into the crum and into borstal and got released from the closed after 17 months 🤪

[@randomsonic5929]

Id love to see you explore the old Warsash Maritime Academy site, it's got some listed parts that might be of interest

[@elizabethspedding1975]

Great channel.💜

[@manlikekeylo-g242]

Single seats in the court rooms are just for you to sit in wile on a video link to court

[@kangirigungi]

If you consider exploring outside the UK, France might be a great destination. There are a lot of beautiful abandoned manors there.

[@Urbandoned]

Europe is definitely on our list at the moment

[@pandastylearmy5938]

STABILISER. preventing headaches.

[@JosieMason-i3b]

Hi could you do a video of the old central hall metodist centre in Birmingham.

[@theojohnmouzouros9975]

So did the entire prison close in 2003 were parts left open for longer

[@heathermurray9939]

Back then, & still to this day both religions are still at war, for the different religions been in there would of been bad, I would be interested to know if any of the boys that are now men alive and what happened to them

[@cordellestewart4997]

It closed as a borstal in the 80s my neighbours as a kid work as prison officers in it and the only two people to break out of it were from my town they still live there they have been awarded money by the government due to the abuse they suffered along with a lot of other people from care homes across the country but this being a backward country our stormont government won’t release the money due to their bigoted infighting as Sinn Fein want the Irish language act to be implemented making victims wait longer for their payments some people have died waiting so long for justice

[@urbexd4479]

Wow thats so cool

[@jennyleishman9617]

It was a private house before it was a Borstal….The Beresfords lived in it…

[@judithtaylor4767]

Great video

[@DavidJohnston58]

When I was a kid my dad would have told me I'd end up in that bad boys home in M****** if I didn't behave 😂 Worse was two sisters who lived down our lane worked in it, so I took it fairly seriously! 😱😂

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

Did he want you to be abused?

[@Michaelsmith98453]

@@jean-lucpicard5510 he was probably trying to tell his son that if he was going to be doing bad things he would end up going there so basically he was just trying to prevent him from getting in jouvinile prison

[@rauschi3863]

I bet there's a lot of boy ghosts.

[@sisterheid5586]

Is it still there?? The boys prison?? In Ireland. Who goes in there

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

this channel is a UK version of the US proper people channel the video style is almost the same as there's lol.

[@ainebusby4526]

With raising crime rates these places could be updated for use

[@gailspaw5521]

Very Sad Place

[@michaelmulligan0]

The courtrooms would be via video link

[@cordellestewart4997]

You are lucky it wasn’t still occupied by the prison service as there was armed security guarding it at one stage

[@Urbandoned]

We had heard about that - very lucky! Although, apparently police do visit the prison often to do a check

[@pabloman6138]

Northern Ireland!

[@elaine.crissy.t2112]

The houses on the site have been renovated and sold...

[@MR.duckmaan]

I live in ireland and I know where this is mislisle ards peninsula and is also haunted

[@RabBailie]

Always wondered what the inside looked like 😂 pity about all the vandalism

[@k-9keeper120]

It would be a smashing hotel. Makes me laugh tho because every naughty kid in northern ireland was threatened to be brought there to BIG JOES home for naughty kids 😂

[@poultryguynewry6671]

WERE IS THIS

[@stevieshankill]

*Northern Ireland. Millisle isn't in Ireland lol

[@roisinmc7442]

Take a day off. The clues in the name Stevie!!!! People outside of here in Northern Ireland don't care, it's all Ireland to them. I lived in England for years so I know, trust me.

[@thegamingcailan]

Late comment but can you get in trouble with Gardaí for trespassing like this in ireland?

[@aaronmcneilly6018]

Trespass is a civil offence in Northern Ireland, as long as you don't break in and enter. If the land owner asks you to leave and you refuse then it becomes aggravated trespass which is a criminal offence.

[@trevorbest-gn2dq]

PSNI - no Gardai in Northern Ireland

[@thegamingcailan]

yeah i meant can you get trouble with the gardai if you do stuff like this in ireland@@trevorbest-gn2dq

[@emilian7052]

15:56 "no hope, no dope, no Pope, no bail, just jail." That's so sad 😔

[@darragh5343]

mate of mine was there. he was abused nearly everyday. he stole sweets from the local shop and was lifted. spent 5 months there. tried to go over the rope soon after but thankfully his girlfriend saved him 😢❤️

[@paulsaul7674]

​@@darragh5343 couldn't have been in there for 5 months, 6 months least 2 years most

[@gentofvigilon34770]

what's the intro song? it's a vibe

[@aureiionxbl]

mate was just in there at 2 am fkall creepy happened except my nose is itchy asf