Mendicity Institution
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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. It was demolished in 1960.
The Institution remained at this location until 1954. Its aim was to provide food, clothing, and lodging for the poor of Dublin.
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.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, 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.
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. 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 MoiraFrancis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings
Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings KG PC , styled The Honourable Francis Rawdon from birth until 1762 and as The Lord Rawdon between 1762 and 1783 and known as The Earl of Moira between 1793 and 1816, was an Irish-British politician and military officer who served as...
. This grand old house had many historical associations. It was here, on May 18, 1798, that "Pamela," wife to the patriot Lord Edward FitzGerald
Lord Edward FitzGerald
Lord Edward FitzGerald was an Irish aristocrat and revolutionary. He was the fifth son of the 1st Duke of Leinster and the Duchess of Leinster , he was born at Carton House, near Dublin, and died of wounds received in resisting arrest on charge of treason.-Early years:FitzGerald spent most of his...
, was spending the evening when her husband was betrayed into the hands of his pursuers nearby. It was demolished in 1960.
The Institution remained at this location until 1954. Its aim was to provide food, clothing, and lodging for the poor of Dublin.
During the 1916 Rising Sean Heuston
Sean Heuston
Seán Heuston, , born Jack Heuston, and sometimes referred to as J. J. Heuston, was an Irish rebel and member of Fianna Éireann who took part in the Easter Rising of 1916. With about 20 Volunteers, he held the Mendicity Institution on the River Liffey for over two days, though it was originally only...
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.