The Society of St Vincent de Paul celebrating 175 years in Ireland in 2019 On Saturday, 13th April 2019, over 1,000 members of SVP gathered in the Convention Centre in Dublin to mark the anniversary. President Michael D. Higgins opened the event.
SVP Annual Report 2019
SVP is the best known and most widely supported organisation of social concern and action in Ireland with over 11,500 volunteers active in every county in Ireland. Since its foundation in 1844 it has been serving the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities. For decades the Society has provided help and support to those most in need through the Famine in the 19th century, two World Wars, an Uprising, a Civil War and cycles of economic austerity. “Sadly today we still see poverty in many different situations and circumstances,’' said SVP national president Kieran Stafford. 17
“There are nearly 800,000 living below the poverty line including 100,000 people at work; record numbers of homeless; 50% of lone parent families experiencing deprivation and 61% of families struggling with education costs. “We know and meet the people behind the figures every week bringing friendship and support.” he said. The first Conference meeting of SVP in Ireland was held in a house in Charles Street West in the Parish of St Michan's in Dublin. Members of the current St Michan's Conference displayed historical documents in the Convention Centre which tracked the work of the Conference through the years.
