The Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers' Society
The Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers' Society is Dublin's oldest surviving charity. It began in 1790 to help sick and poor roomkeepers in the city at a time when there was no public welfare. Parishes and private people tried to ease poverty, but volunteers formed this society to do more.
On 15 March 1790, a group of middle‑class men in north Dublin, around St. Michan's, founded the Charitable Society for the Relief of Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers of all Religious Persuasions in the City of Dublin. They saw poor people who could not work and were too ashamed to beg, sometimes dying in hidden garrets and cellars.
Founders included Samuel Rosborough, Christopher Connolly, Patrick Magin, Philip Shea, Michael Stedman, Peter Fleming, Timothy Knowlan, Thomas Wilmot, William Blacker, Laurence Toole and James Reilly. Members paid at least 2 pence a week to nominate people for relief. Rosborough served as treasurer for many years; he died on 3 November 1832 and was buried in St. Michan's. A tablet in the church was placed on the 30th anniversary of his death to remember his work.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:24 (CET).