Irish Red Cross

The Irish Red Cross is at the forefront of delivering aid to vulnerable people in Ireland and in countries around the world that have been struck by wars or natural disasters.

History

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established by an Act of the Oireachtas on 1 August 1939.

Irish Red Cross nurses at the formal inauguration foundation of the Irish Red Cross in 1939.

Click here to read the Red Cross Act

Just over a month later, on the eve of World War II the inaugural meeting of the IRCS governing body, the Central Council, was held in Dublin on 5 September. Prior to this the Red Cross had been established throughout most of Ireland as an autonomous entity within the British Red Cross Society during the War of Independence in 1920, although records show that the Red Cross had branches in Dublin four years previously when volunteers took care of the sick and wounded during the 1916 Easter Rising.

Achievements

The Red Cross both nationally and internationally is proud of its achievements to date. Within Ireland the Red Cross was to the forefront in the provision of relief for most of the 20th Century, attracting to it some notable talent.

Structure

The Irish Red Cross was established by an Act of the Oireachtas in 1939 with the President of Ireland by virtue of his or her office, holding the top position of President of the Irish Red Cross.

What we do

The Irish Red Cross is dedicated to the provision of Emergency and Humanitarian Relief both at home and abroad through its network of volunteers both nationally and internationally.

Contact us

Address:
16 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Ireland

Telephone: +353 (0)1 642 4600
Fax: +353 (0)1 661 4461
Email: info@redcross.ie or use this feedback form