Launch of Palace Street prints and cards at the Mansion House

The well-known artist, conservationist and author, Peter Pearson, generously donated the reproduction rights of his painting of no. 2 Palace Street to the Society to raise funds. The building, which is familiar to many Dubliners near the entrance to Dublin Castle, served as the Society’s office from 1855 to 1992. 

Lord Mayor James Geoghegan allowed us to launch the prints and cards at an event in the Oak Room of the Mansion House on 12th November 2024, and graciously funded catering at the event.

As the Lord Mayor was unable to attend on that date, Bishop Donal Roche, auxiliary bishop of Dublin, kindly agreed to launch the prints and cards. He recalled the long history of the Society, including the involvement of previous Lord Mayors of Dublin. He also outlined the history of no. 2 Palace Street and its connection with Roomkeepers:

‘At first, the Society held meetings across the city, including – as the annual report for 1842 put it – in ‘respectable taverns’. This was to change following the first visit of Fr Theobold Mathew, a leading figure in the temperance movement, to Dublin in 1840. The Society began to seek a more permanent base, and ultimately secured No. 2 Palace Street in 1855.

In 1863 the Society decided to use the house not only as a venue for their meetings, but also as a central point for the distribution of relief, in terms of both cash and of goods such as coal and potatoes. No. 2 Palace Street was the headquarters of the Society until 1992. Shortly afterwards, it was purchased and expertly restored to its original use as a family residence by the eminent architectural historian, Peter Pearson.’

Felix Larkin acted as MC and introduced the speakers. John Martin, current chair of the Society, welcomed Peter Pearson and his wife Phil, and presented him with a framed copy of a print of his painting. Peter recalled how he purchased no. 2 at an auction in 1992 and how he discovered evidence of its past history during its renovation. The launch was attended by around 60 people, including current and former trustees and their guests, Edel and Vera Withers and their husbands, and by social workers who make applications to the Society.

The prints and cards are for sale on the ‘shop’ webpage.