Charitable Institutions

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Charitable Associations.**

Sick and Indigent Room-keepers. In 1791, the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of Ormond Market associated, for the purpose of relieving the poor of their parish, who were unwilling to beg and unable to work, and who had retired into some miserable garret, to pine away in wretchedness and despair. This humane, unostentatious, and religious charity, was at its first institution ardently assisted, and at length spread its amiable example over the whole city. Four committees were appointed - the Stephen’s Green, Rotunda, House of Industry, and Barrack, each of which employs persons to find out proper objects of their bounty. The advantages of this association, which is supposed to have relieved a greater number of individuals than any other in the metropolis, were brought into action by the indefatigable zeal of Mr. Rosborough. *

The Stranger’s Friend Society *- was instituted about the same period by Dr. Clarke; and it is supported chiefly by Methodists, but professes to give relief to all religious persuasions. *

The Charitable Association* - meet at the Bethesda chapel, have for their object the relief of all but street beggars, and to procure work for industrious poor. *

The Society for the Relief of the Industrious Poor*

• which meets at the House of Refuge, in Dorset-street, is supported by subscription, and was established by the Quakers.

The Debtor’s Friend Society.* - was first established in 1775, but was shortly after abandoned; it was, however, revived about 1814. Its object is the release of debtors confined in the Marshalsea for debts not exceeding 5l., and not contracted for spirituous liquors, or any improper purpose. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs are ex officio members of the committee for the management of the fund. The confined debtors also derive assistance from a charitable bequest of 700l. left by Mr. Powel, who had been himself a debtor. The interest of this is employed in purchasing bread, beef, and fuel, which are distributed among the confined debtors at Christmas, together with 1s. 1d. to each person.

A charitable loan, called the Goldsmith’s Jubilee, was established in l809, the year of the fiftieth anniversary of the late king’s accession. The object of it is, to afford an asylum to the aged and infirm members of that trade, who are comfortably lodged in the village of Raathfarnam, two miles from Dublin:- it is entirely supported by persons in the same trade. *

The Ouzel Galley Association* - derives its name from a vessel which lay in Dublin Harbour, in 1700, and was the occasion of a lengthened and complicated trial, that was ultimately arranged by an arbitration of several respectable merchants in Dublin. It consists of 37 members, a registrar, and secretary, who determine commercial and other differences by arbitration, and the costs of the proceedings are bestowed upon different charities. *

The Musical Fund Society* - is for the relief of distressed musicians and their families; those who subscribe having a claim on the association, and an allowance to their families after their death. Members pay from two to ten guineas on their admission, the precise sum to be regulated by the age of the person admitted. This society was founded by Mr. Cooke, of the orchestra of Smock-alley Theatre, 1787, and incorporated by act of parliament, in 1794. The chief support is derived from a public concert, called the “Commemoration of Handel.”

In 36th George III. an act was passed for the encouragement of (Friendly Societies,” which induced the Teachers of Dublin to associate for the purpose of accumulating a Fund for their own relief, in the event of a reverse of fortune, and for the relief of orphans and widows of members of that profession. The society is denominated The Society for the Relief of Distressed Literary Teachers and their Families. At its first institution it was called the “Abecedarian Society,” which name was exchanged for the present appellation. There are at present about 50 members, and the society have 2,000l. in the treasurer’s hands. *

The Charitable Loan* - was established 1780, and incorporated by act of parliament. It was instituted by the patrons of the Musical Fund Society, and meets every Thursday in the vestry-room of St. Anne’s Church. Its object is, to relieve distressed tradesmen, by lending them sums of not less than two, nor more than five, pounds, without interest, which is to be repaid by instalments of sixpence per week. *

The Meath Charitable Society* - which was established by the Rev. J. Whitelaw, author of a History of Dublin, has afforded considerable relief to the poor weavers of the Earl of Meath’s Liberties, by lending sums, not less than 5l. and not exceeding 20l, interest-free; and sometimes it extends its benefits beyond this limit. *

Mendicity Association*. - The absence of poor-rates, or any other system of regulating and bettering the condition of mendicants in Ireland, fills the streets of every town in Ireland with importunate applicants for alms; and the passenger landing on the pier of Howth, or the quay of the Pigeon-house, is immediately assailed by a crowd of miserable beings, half naked, vociferating in opprobrious language, if the application for charity be not attended to.

The streets of Dublin itself, a few years ago, were so* *crowded with mendicants, that whenever a well-dressed person entered a shop to purchase any thing, the door was beset by beggars, awaiting his egress. The spirited exertions of a few individuals have completely changed the face of the city in this point of view, for very few mendicants are now to be seen in the streets.

The association commenced its proceedings in January, 1818, in despite of violent opposition from numbers of their fellow-citizens. Subscriptions, however, were largely and willingly given; charity sermons, preached for the support of the institution, were numerous and beneficial; the inhabitants, likewise, consent, almost unanimously, to pay a small tax, according to their means, for the suppression of mendicity.

The first house taken as an asylum and work-house, was that belonging to the Dublin Society, in Hawkins-street, now the New Theatre. Afterwards, on those premises being purchased by the patentee, others in Copper-alley were taken; and Moira-house has since been purchased, and is now fitting up for their accommodation.

The poor are employed in various works, such as lace-making, picking oakum, pounding oyster shells, sweeping streets, spinning, netting, making and mending clothes, &c.

Besides the establishment in Copper-alley, the association have apartments in Fleet-street, and a very extensive school, where the children are educated in useful trades. Prom this school apprentices are frequently taken by shopkeepers through the city

The association is under the control of the Lord Mayor; as president, and 12 vice-presidents, assisted by a committee. The Lord Lieutenant is Patron.

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