The protestant orphan society and it's social significance in Ireland, 1828-1940

The Protestant Orphan Society, founded in Dublin in 1828, managed a carefully-regulated boarding-out and apprenticeship scheme. This book examines its origins, its forward-thinking policies, and particularly its investment in children's health, the part women played in the charity, opposition to its work and the development of local Protestant Orphan Societies. It argues that by the 1860s the parent body in Dublin had become one of the most well-respected nineteenth-century Protestant charities and an authority in the field of boarding out. The author uses individual case histories to explore the ways in which the charity shaped the orphans' lives and assisted widows, including the sister of Sean O'Casey, the renowned playwright, and identifies the prominent figures who supported its work such as Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland. This book makes valuable contributions to the history of child welfare, foster care, the family and the study of Irish Protestantism. 'Spanning more than a century, this study provides a comprehensive account of the groundbreaking work and social influence of the Protestant Orphan Society, one of the most significant yet under-documented nineteenth-century Irish Protestant charities. Featuring in-depth case-history analysis, it offers rare insights into the lives of Protestant families in the aftermath of bereavement.The book examines the charity's origins in Dublin, its progressive policies and its boarding-out and apprenticeship schemes; the important role of women as nurses and fundraisers; the foundation of local Protestant Orphan Societies, and opposition to its work. It argues that the pioneering system, which promoted children's health, education and eventual independence, represented a private outdoor poor relief measure that pre-dated state-sponsored boarding-out by more than thirty years and became the basis for modern concepts. The book discusses the gradual decline of the charity in the south from the early twentieth century and uncovers the distinguished figures who lent their support such as Ireland's first President Dr. Douglas Hyde, Dr. Ella Webb and Dr. Dorothy Stopford Price. It also focuses considerable attention on the children's experience while boarded-out and apprenticed and explores the many challenges faced by widows in reduced circumstances, including the sister of Irish playwright Sean O'Casey, as they endeavoured to provide for their children alone.This fascinating volume makes valuable contributions to the growing field of children's studies, women's history, the history of the family and social welfare and the study of Irish Protestantism' --Back cover Spanning more than a century, this study provides a comprehensive account of the ground breaking work and social influence of one of the most significant yet under documented nineteenth-century Irish Protestant charities and features in-depth case history analysis which gives many crucial insights into the lives of the widows and children it aimed to assist. It makes valuable contributions to social history particularly the growing field of children's studies, child welfare, foster care, the family, social welfare, as well as the study of Irish Protestantism. This book examines the charity's origins, its boarding-out and apprenticeship schemes, its progressive policies, the role that women assumed in its management, the development of local Protestant Orphan Societies across the country, and opposition to its work. It argues that the pioneering system, which promoted children's health, education, and eventual independence, represented a private outdoor poor relief measure that predated state-sponsored boarding out by more than thirty years and became the basis for concepts of'modern boarding out'. It uncovers the distinguished figures who lent their support such as the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, and Dr Ella Webb and charts its gradual decline in the south from the early twentieth century onwards. It also focuses considerable attention on the experiences of the children whilst boarded out and apprenticed and the circumstances which led widows to become dependent on the charity, including the sister of Irish playwright, Sean O'Casey, identifying the challenges they faced as they endeavored to provide for their families alone. Introduction 1. Origins, 1828-30 2. PO Societies and the Poor Law, 1830-50 3. The 'family system', 1830-50 4. Opposition and support, 1850-98 5. Bereaved families and boarded-out children, 1850-98 6. Child training or child labour? 1850-98 7. Tradition versus change, 1898-1940 8. Decline and resilience, 1898-1940 Conclusion Select bibliography Index June Cooper. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [233]-242) And Index.