The Madman's Hotel

by Niall Breslin (Author/Narrator)

In the heart of the rolling green hills of Ireland a huge abandoned psychiatric asylum looms large and holds its secrets close, until one family fights to find the truth about their long-lost great grandmother.

Presented by Irish mental health advocate Niall Breslin - this is the untold story of the quest to find patient Julia Leonard, alongside many others, who came to die in St Loman’s Hospital near Dublin. Why was Julia in St Loman’s? And what happened to her and other patients who found themselves within its walls? Niall joins the campaign to find out the truth, as he knows the hospital well… he grew up in the town next door.

As the family reach out for Niall’s help, along the way he reveals Ireland’s dark history with ‘lunatic asylums’ and why so many of its citizens were locked away in these forbidding institutions.

Will they find the woman they’re looking for? Will there be justice for her and the other souls once detained behind those walls? And what other secrets will be uncovered?

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Mental Health, Crime, Biography

Audible Audio

Published October 21, 2024

About the author

Niall Breslin (born 22 October 1980), known as Bressie, is an Irish musician and former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster Rugby player. Breslin found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with pop band The Blizzards, as a co-writer and producer with XIX Entertainment and as a solo artist. He was the winning coach on the first and third seasons of The Voice of Ireland.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read…if not the best. I’m not sure there are actual words to convey how important this book is - it is a very human story and my god did it make me cry like a baby!

I truly hope the families get the answers and justice they deserve for their loved ones. And I hope this book becomes available outside of Audible, so I can make everyone I know read it!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story & audio 4 stars**
Narrator & author Niall Breslin

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big history fan and have family in Ireland (Limerick). I came across this and it seemed interesting.

It sucked me right in. You end up heartbroken along with the families. You have hope when they do, you get sad when they do, angry when they do.

Niall is a fantastic story teller and really emotes. When he’s detailing his own struggles with mental health, I remembered my own and didn’t feel alone.

This whole audiobook is a powerful piece and one I think everyone should listen to

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this hard to follow as they tried to have a spooky background a lot throughout the book.
It wasn’t as informative as I was hoping it was and it not written like a typical asylum book.

[Riss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever thought, "Oh God, this meeting could've been an email?" That's exactly how this book felt.

[Edie Kennard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall Breslin has delivered something deeply personal and profoundly moving with The Madman’s Hotel. This isn't just a historical retelling; it is a raw, sonic exploration of generational trauma and the thin line between "madness" and the struggle to survive.

What Made it Impactful:

Heartbreaking Authenticity: The core of this story is undeniably heavy. Breslin explores the legacy of Ireland’s psychiatric institutions with a sensitivity that feels like an open wound. You can feel the weight of the "silent" generations throughout the narrative.

Exceptional Sound Design: Being an Audible Original, the production value is top-tier. The immersive audio environment pulls you directly into the bleak corridors of the past, making the emotional stakes feel incredibly immediate.

Breslin’s Vulnerability: Niall’s narration is a standout. His voice carries a mix of journalistic curiosity and deep, personal sorrow that makes the listener feel like a confidant rather than just an audience member.

Why it Missed the 5th Star
While the emotional resonance is a 5/10, the pacing occasionally felt a bit fractured. Some of the transitions between the historical research and the personal reflections were slightly abrupt, momentarily pulling me out of the atmosphere he worked so hard to build.

Final Thought: This is a difficult but necessary listen. It’s a tribute to those forgotten by history and a reminder of how much the past still lives within us. Be prepared to sit in silence for a while after the final chapter.

[where the pages bleed · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I went into this blind, as an audible must read.
Very glad I did, I knew Ireland has a rich history. Very happy to have added this information to my life.

[gee ☽ (IG: momoxshi)]

Not a fan of the documentary-style audio recording for the audiobook. But with that said, I think this was an interesting story that gives you a perspective on Irish mental health through the years and even a little bit of their healthcare system.

[⁺₊✧ MYRA ✧₊⁺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Roselia Hernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Madman’s Hotel by Niall Breslin

“I’m not mad, and neither are half the people in here.”

Rate: 2.5/5✨

Thoughts: 💭

To be honest this audio book was a flop. Like there were a lot of jumps within the book. It mostly sounded like it should be a documentary movie than it being an audiobook. So for this being my first low score, it’s a 2.5/5. 🫤 Wish I could have gave it more but it just didn’t work as an audio book.
The person who was narrating the whole audiobook was great, like I was able to understand everything but I wished he went more into detail. It felt really short. But the way he was able to provide recordings of himself exploring the asylum was great.
In the whole audiobook he was helping those who had families in the MadMans hotel. He was getting justice for them who needed closure. Towards the ending of the audio we can hear that not only those who mental illnesses went into the asylum but people with disorders. Like how are you going to do that!? I know back in the day they use to do that or even to women who “won’t listen to their husbands”. But to hear that many of their files were missing and they cannot provide any information on those who were there was crazy!
I do hope they make a documentary of this audiobook, it is very deserved. Especially with all the little details they had given. I just wish I could give it a higher score but I’m really set on the rating.
I would highly suggest this audiobook too anyone who loves:
1) History
2) Unsolved Mystery

[Sammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have been considerably better without all the background racket.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m surprised I managed to keep going with this one, I almost gave up before the last chapter but I felt like I’d got that far I might as well persevere to the end!

This audiobook was 4 hours long, however in my opinion it could have been done within an hour. The story isn’t as much about the history of the asylum (which I was hoping it would be) but about a family trying to find the remains of their great great grandmother. I felt like there was a lot of repetition.

I’m giving 2 stars as I did enjoy the first chapter and learning about the lady there were trying to find, but then I lost interest with all the repetitive communications with the HSE etc.

[Cosmin Fota · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very boring audiobook.

This 3h felt like an eternity, I couldn't focus on what was going in! It starts with the author talking about himself and there're a few "I'll explain this later". Then, he talks about the cemetery, a girl, a confusion and back and forth between past and present and different "interviews"(I guess?). This book has no plot, it has mini stories and, somehow, the author is involved. I heavily disliked it. Gave it 2 stars because I endured it, one star for me and one for this book being free listen.

[Michelle N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad story and an important listen.
A review of Ireland's treatment of mental illness over the last 150 years, made more powerful through the telling of Julia Leonard's story.
Well written and performed, and highly recommended.

[Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

idk, I guess the work they did to try to get gravestones restored and to give a proper burial to these unjustly mistreated people is commendable. But my ultimate thoughts at the end was that the message should have been more about the marginalization of inconvenient people today. Having society see and acknowledge that and pushing for better care today.

Not trying to imply Ireland's mental health care is anything like what was depicted here, some stories were over 100 years old. Just that shining a light on the wrongs done in the past could have been used as momentum for addressing issues in mental healthcare today.

Instead they get all lost and jumbled in where people's bodies are. You tried. Now move on to more productive things. Please. I honestly don't blame the agencies they contacted for not wanting to sink millions of dollars into what amounts to soothing people's feelings. We've got bigger problems to tackle.

Laying people to rest is a nice sentiment but at some point you need to step back and face the facts: this person is dead and gone. There are living people who need your money/attention/care more.

One of my husband's favourite quotes is from Always Sunny in Philadelphia when Frank says, "when I'm dead, just throw me in the trash." He says when he dies, he wants the cheapest options. The one left living are the important ones. Let's try to care more for those people rather than those who have already departed.

[Mia Suljic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as I was driving back down to Sarajevo to fly back to the UK, after my first trip back to Bosnia in 7 years. I was sad and it was pouring with rain the whole drive and I was on the world’s most hilly, spirally, treacherous roads that required absolute concentration. And even then, all I could think about is the power of our history and how much we take it for granted. How much power a simple name on a headstone holds, how much people suffered in the past for mental health conditions that are so normal now, and how glad I am to know my lineage and where I’m from. This was a very powerful story. Plus it distracted me enough from the very real chance I’d accidentally swerve off a cliff and die. So there’s that too.

[Hollie Ennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook*
A cross between an audiobook and a pod cast really.
The history of Irish asylums mentioned was fascinating and the personal story made it very relatable.
However, the story of the campaign dragged on a bit for me and wasn’t really why I chose to listen to the book. Felt it took up majority of it.
The editing was a bit naff and sound effects cheesy.

[Stephanie Magruder]

Honestly, this is not what I was expecting, but I judged the book by its cover. I was expecting a murder mystery and got a documentary of sorts, BUT I read it anyway and was surprised!

History + Medical + Mystery

I was in tears a few times. The story, and being reminded of medical practices for mental health, not that long ago, was so hard to hear and remember.

[Alyssa Herget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This “book” was in a strange format, like a documentary— interview clips, commentary. That being said, I loved it. I learned so much about the asylum and what went on during history that I hadn’t known before, and then the story of the graveyard on top of it all, just horrible. When we know better, we do better.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great - though very sad and tragic - story. I'd never heard of the hospital, but I felt like we had good background information. Narration by the author was so well done. Really took me to the area.

[Shaunna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad disturbing truths about the mental health industry and how far it’s come

[Lisa Westlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about an old insane asylum in Ireland and a family's fight for information.

[Ami Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting; it was good for what I needed it to be which was something to listen to at work.

[ottilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and so sad. I actually really enjoyed listening to this, it was less of a book more of a long podcast but I think it works well

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history, I enjoyed the research they attempted to find out more about their great grandmother. Very interesting.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Riveting.

[Jennifer Kintz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. There really was not a lot, if any, history about the Madman’s Hotel. It was basically a story of a family trying to put their family members bones to rest after they passed at this facility.

[Karen Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too long for what it was plus accents in audiobooks… it was hard for me to follow.


Having said that, I appreciated the interesting and educational element of this book

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a long podcast/documentary show. Sad realities with institutions in Ireland - and of course this happened everywhere. Some dark history that was interesting, and families affected spoke out in interviews.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written human interest piece.