The Atlantis 'Screamers' Commune in Burtonport, Co. Donegal, Ireland 1980

[@Discover-Ireland]

Ya got to remember there was no help back then. If you complained you were beaten more,everyone has there own asylum.

[@mushroomterry]

I Lived on the island of Innisfree for a few months (their main commune) in the 80s, I didn't live with them in the commune but in another cottage on the island. They were very aggressive at one point throwing me in to the sea because I had put up a fence around my garden to keep their goats away from my veg, They said this was an aggressive act even though they themselves had a 6ft fence surrounding their own Garden. I also had to escort two girls off the island in the middle of the night who had been sexually assaulted (this was part of their "free expression" culture ) and had ran away from the commune in the middle of the night. communes have been a big part of my life and I wouldn't talk ill of one without good reason.

[@johnosullivan7413]

Interesting reading the innocents of the comments section. I’ll answer some Qs: It’s only the leader left on her own in Colombia as everyone grew common sense and left, even most of her own daughters disowned her. In regards to contrasting Atlantis to the Christian Brothers: the violence in Atlantis would be hard to surpass the only difference is there was no rapping of little boys. Yes very sadly her own grandson was massacred by a local militia gang who had a connection with the FARC but they were just the local bullies. And she still continued to live in a FARC controlled area afterwards. It was just like the crazy cults we hear about but without religion

[@seanohaimheirgin1047]

Well at least it helped Johnny Depp, he really pulled himself together after this.

[@randomaztec2208]

Bahahahaaaaaaaa

[@thug_nose5519]

Hahaa ah man, the image of him

[@Tacoman1967]

Fear and loathing in Donegal.

[@jamesfagan7823]

You know what they say. Everyone is lovely until you get to know them

[@Kevin-rw4yw]

Hope you are all well!

[@enhancesoutheast5964]

I'm 59 and I clearly remember this era. . Anyone who was the tiniest bit different then rapidly came to the nasty attention of busybodies, the local coppers, assorted local religious types and the parish priest. In closed rural Irish communities, without the Internet or outside ideas, every outsider was a threat to established rulers and to be feared. Things are far better nowadays..

[@kelzuya]

Well said Kieran. I'm in my mid-thirites myself but I always think it's bad when people hark back to the "good old days" without really remembering the bad.

[@shredder9536]

We need to beat men in skinny jeans

[@gilactico]

Was the screaming part of their timetable necessary?. Can sympathise with the fella being kept awake all night by the noise.

[@olliehere23]

Looks like they were some of the first ppl to really reject things now commonly seen as wrong - from beating kids to pollution to supressing mental health issues. Quite a poignant watch in the end.

[@Peter-k2j]

this was funny at first then just sad

[@drewid3876]

I’m from Nova Scotia ...what was this screamers movement anyway?

[@1042firegirl]

Gone years ago, they used to shout to relieve stress.

[@sawtoothiandi]

i presume its based on arthur janov's 'primal scream' mode of therapy, like the song 'shout' by 'tears for fears'

[@eddievincent9844]

Hugh Boyle didn't like them anyway.🤣

[@bernadettecraig7785]

remember them ,way back there was more gossip about them than you would imagine,was at the dancing 💃 in gweedore seaview smoking weed was the thing

[@Kevin-rw4yw]

CR very interesting 👏

[@Tacoman1967]

Screamers and schemers. Ireland has plenty of both!!

[@ortsen]

woke before woke existed

[@df289]

the christian brothers, what an impression they left on their victims they should have come with a health warning.

[@jamesfagan7823]

Love thy neighbour and poison the cat

[@bernadettekelly2772]

yes that's what they do in West Ireland ! I saw with my own eyes ! Then they run to Confession Hypocrites

[@johnmc3862]

Crustys.

[@schteeve4759]

Aye, and you're most likely an old codger.