Cork History:

The Society of St Vincent De Paul has been in the Cork Region for over 160 years. The first City Conference, St Finbarr’s South was established in 1846 and is still in existence today. The Society celebrated its 160th Anniversary in 2006 and a commemorative plaque was unveiled in St Finbarr's South church by Bishop John Buckley and Mairead Bushnell, SVP National President. In 1850 St. Mary’s, Youghal, became the first Conference outside the city and was quickly followed by other areas such as Bantry, Clonakilty, Cobh to name but a few.

In 1941 the Regional Office moved to Tuckey Street having previously been located in Fr Matthew Street and is still the current location. Fr Matthew St also provided accommodation for homeless men but in 1950 this service was moved and opened as St Vincent’s Hostel in Merchant’s Quay. They moved once again in 1982 to Angelsea Terrace where it provides accommodation for 75 homeless men. A second hostel was opened in 1982 in Deerpark House offering accommodation for 25 men but was later extended and now provides rooms for 51 men.

In 1957 the Society received premises in Ringabella on the coastline in the Cork Harbour area.

As a source of income to the Society, the first shop was opened in Sheare’s Street, called “Vincent’s.”  There are now a total of 15 shops located throughout the city and county, with a sorting facility in Little Island.

Women were admitted as full members of the Society in 1967, having previously been known as the Ladies Association of Charity. They now make up over 50% of membership.

In 2003 Mairead Bushnell became the first woman to be elected as Regional President and in 2006 was elected the first female National President of the Society. The Regional President now is Brendan Dempsey.