The Mendicity Institution is one of Dublin's oldest charities, established in 1818.  During its life-span, it has always worked towards the relief of poverty in the city.

As the social organisation of poverty altered, the Institution has had to adapt to meet the current needs of a changing clientele.

It has always been situated on Usher’s Island and has been at its present location (9 Island Street, Dublin 8) since the 1950’s, where it continues as a food centre providing free meals on a daily basis, including Sunday brunch.

In recent times, we share our accommodation with the Robert Emmet Community Development Project (RECDP).  Representatives from Crosscare provide information to our service users on Wednesdays.

The Mendicity Institution is currently managed by a voluntary committee of trustees and members and is under the patronage of the following:

Moira House, Usher's Island - home of the Mendicity Institution for 130 years, from
1824 - 1954. (Print by Wm,. Brocus Jnr, courtesy of the National Library of Ireland, as
reproduced in "Dublin Outsiders: A History of the Mendicity Institution 1818 - 1998"
by Audrey Woods).

His Grace the Most Rev. John Robert Winder Neill, M.A., Archbishop of Dublin

Very Rev. Robert B. McCarthy, M.A., Ph.D., Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral

Very Rev. Dermot Dunne, M.A., Dean of Christ Church Cathedral

In 1818, there was very little public help for the thousands of poor forced to beg in the streets of Dublin, who, as a contemporary put it, "crowded around the doors of shops, assailing customers".  So, a few enlightened men founded a charity which provided free food, clothing, lodging, schooling for children and training in marketable skills, and later public baths and washing facilities.  It gave financial assistance to those wishing to travel in search of work.

Today, the Institution still provides meals for about 70 meals per day.  This detailed history of one of Dublin's most respected charities shows how the aims and objectives changed over the years to meet the changing needs of its clientele, while never losing sight of the basic object to make it unnecessary for men, women and children to beg in the streets.