Carthanas an Ard-Mhéara

The Lord Mayor is Chairman of the fund and is assisted by the Secretary and Treasurer. The committee meets twice a year with the Lord Mayor to determine the level of grants to be allocated to a number of charitable bodies during the winter months.

History of the Fund

The Mansion House Fund for Relief of Distress in Ireland can trace its roots back to the 1870s. Ireland was beset by harvest failure during the 1870s and in 1880 famine threatened the country. To alleviate its effects a fund was set up to collect money from Irish Emigrants all over the world.

The fund as we know it today was established by Sir John Arnott in 1891 in order to assist the needy during a particularly hard winter. At the end of that winter, surplus funds were carried over to the next year. The Mansion House Fuel Fund has continued to aid the needy in Dublin ever since and is one of the oldest charities in Dublin.



The fund distributes cash grants through a number of charitable societies, regardless of their religious affiliation. It was one of the first truly ecumenical charities in the City.

The Fund at Christmas

The main fundraising for the Charity takes place in December. The Irish Farmers Association provides a live animal crib on the Mansion House forecourt for the duration of Advent. Funds are also raised by means of an annual postage appeal and the Lord Mayor’s Annual Christmas Concert. Thanks to the generosity of the general public the Mansion House Fuel Fund continues to provide support for the less fortunate during the season of goodwill.



There are no paid staff running the Charity and all donations go the needy. The only costs incurred are postage and administration costs relating to Hughes Blake Chartered Accountants, Joyce House, Holles Street, Dublin 2 who audit the accounts.

Some of the charities helped by the Fund

• Dublin Simon Community
• St. Vincent De Paul
• Abbey Presbyterian Church Hamper Fund
• St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Jobstown, Tallaght

To make a donation please contact the Mansion House at 222 6200 or email [email protected]