Ministry of Fear
Ministry of Fear from Singing School
I have witnessed this scene many times and often have been an unwilling and generally undeserved participant. As a star scholar in St Columb's College Seamus Heaney would have been a rare participant but frequent witness.
"On my first day, the leather strap
Went epileptic in the Big Study,
Its echoes plashing over our bowed heads,"
Each teacher, on appointment to the school staff, was obliged to acquire a strap or "dooker" as it was known. Many were enthusiastic wielders of the weapon which was custom- designed by the teachers (50 % priests) and made by local shoemakers. They varied in rigidity and length. Six "slaps" were administered, three in each hand. The hands will swell up. Juniors were the most frequent victims and teachers of Irish were among the most vicious users. Up to sixty boys could witness the event if it happened during evening study in the "Big Study"
My son Andrew and his son Oisin recreated the scene for me with Oisin demonstrating the calculated indifference that we attempted to show our peers during the indignity. All the priests wore Soutanes, long black outer garments.
From The Spirit Level 1996