- Mendicity Institution
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The Mendicity Institution in Dublin, Ireland, is one of Ireland's oldest charities. It continues its charitable work of providing meals to Dublin's needy from its premises at Island Street, south of Usher's Island, its former location.
Contents
History
The Institution was one of many that were established in Dublin to relieve the poverty that pervaded the city at that time. There was no system of public welfare, nor, until some time later, any general policy on the part of the government to alleviate the problem of poverty. It was left to parishes (which in the poorer areas of the city had very little to spare), private individuals and institutions to ease poverty through voluntary work.[1] The Institution was established in 1818 as the Mendicity Association. From 1826 it had its headquarters at Moira House, Usher's Island, near the river Liffey, formerly the family house of Lord Moira. This grand old house had many historical associations. It was here, on May 18, 1798, that "Pamela," wife to the patriot Lord Edward FitzGerald, was spending the evening when her husband was betrayed into the hands of his pursuers nearby.[2] It was demolished in 1960.
The Mendicity Institution in 1890
The Institution remained at this location until 1954. Its aim was to provide food, clothing, and lodging for the poor of Dublin.[3]
During the 1916 Rising Sean Heuston was ordered to occupy the Institution. He was told to hold this position for three or four hours, in order to delay the advance of British troops. He actually held it for over two days, with twenty-six Volunteers. With his position becoming untenable against considerable numbers, he had to surrender, and was later executed.[4]
Further reading
Audrey Woods: Further Outsider: a history of the Mendicity Institution. A & A Farmar, Dublin 1998
References
- ^ Lindsay, Deirdre (1990). Dublin's Oldest Charity. Dublin: Anniversary Press. p. 3. ISBN 1870940067.
- ^ Gerard, Frances (1898). Picturesque Dublin, Old and New. London: Hutchinson & Co..
- ^ Mendicity Institution
- ^ Desmond Ryan, The Rising, Golden Eagle Books, Dublin, 1966
See also
- House of Industry (Dublin)
- Irish Poor Laws
External links
Categories:- Charities based in Ireland
- Charities
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