FAQs

No – unfortunately SIRKS is not in a position to consider direct applications for assistance. We work with registered social workers, partner charities, and both state and non-state bodies who make applications to us on behalf of those in need. We do not have the personnel which would be required to verify the merits of direct applications, and hiring such skilled people would greatly increase our costs of operation (and therefore reduce how much money we have available to help those in need), and would also duplicate the work that is being done so effectively by the registered social workers, partner charities, and both state and non-state bodies with which we work. 

SIRKS is the name we use to refer to The Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers Society (Incorporated), Irish Registered Charity Number 20001407. SIRKS is Dublin’s oldest surviving charity, and was founded on 15 March 1790 as “The Charitable Society for the Relief of Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers of all Religious Persuasions in the City of Dublin”. We have been a well known and loved part of the fabric of Dublin for so long that we were even mentioned by James Joyce in his great work “Ulysses”. 

When SIRKS was founded in 1790 as “The Society for the Relief of Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers in the City of Dublin without Religious Distinction” it would have been generally understood that a “roomkeeper” meant “someone who occupies/rents a room in a house”, similar to what became known as a bedsit in the 1900s. The term “roomkeeper” fell out of use. As a result many people quite understandably assume that “roomkeeper” has something to do with the hospitality sector, and that SIRKS was perhaps set up by hotel or boarding house owners, or directly provides accommodation, but this is not the case. “Roomkeepers” was a convenient way in 1790 of referring to the most typical recipient of assistance from SIRKS – someone renting a room in a tenement building, and for whom an unexpected life event, such as illness or an unpredicted and unmanageable expense, may lead to a downward spiral into debt and potentially homelessness. The words “Sick” and “Indigent” were used in the name of SIRKS in 1790, just like “Roomkeepers”, to try to convey the typical circumstances of a recipient of aid from SIRKS (with “Indigent”, meaning “in need”, being a more commonly used word at that time). 

When SIRKS was first established in 1790, its aim was to assist those in need in the Parish of St. Michan (where a Christian chapel has continuously existed since 1095) in central Dublin. Within three years, and having quickly attracted notice and support for its good works, the geographical reach of SIRKS extended to include four separate divisions (two on the North side and two on the South Side of Dublin. As Dublin continued to expand in geographical area, and the population shifted within that area, SIRKS further evolved to assist those within the geographical are “between the canals” in Dublin, and ultimately all those within the whole county of Dublin, which is what we do today. From 1855 to 1992 the headquarters of the society was on Palace Street (off Dame Street, and beside one of the entrances to Dublin Castle), and the building remains a landmark in Dublin, with the name of our charity debossed on the façade. Somewhat unusually for a charity founded in 1790, SIRKS has never been affiliated with any religious organisation (although we gratefully receive valuable support from an annual collection at central Dublin churches), and our focus has always been, and remains, on helping those in need without religious distinction.  

In 2025 we began to refer to ourselves as “SIRKS” as we had sought and received feedback from social workers and recipients of assistance which suggested that the true meaning of our historic name is not widely understood, and that some recipients of assistance from SIRKS found it confusing. As our highest priority is to be of service to those who need us, we decided to address the issue by simply referring to our charity as “SIRKS”, while introducing a new logo.

We are essentially a charity of last resort, where no other funding is available to applicants. SIRKS works with a range of registered social workers and some other charities and public and non-governmental bodies to identify those who are most in need and are unlikely to be able to obtain assistance from any other source.

We typically offer assistance on a one-off basis to applicants facing a life event, challenge, or obstacle, and where our assistance can have a significant and meaningful impact on the life situation and wellbeing of the applicant. With this in mind, we do not provide assistance in the form of cash, rather it is assistance in-kind aimed at resolving in whole or part a specific issue.

We are a small charity with limited funds; we cannot help everyone, and therefore we focus our attentions on those who need us most and have nowhere else to turn. We have guidelines to help social workers and other charities understand which cases are most appropriate to refer to SIRKS.

Each application is carefully reviewed by SIRKS, and where necessary we obtain further information. However, we understand that a streamlined and fast process without unnecessary bureaucracy is important, and our small size and committed, experienced trustees (very capably assisted by our administrator) can act quickly and flexibly.

The feedback we have received from applicants, social workers, and other charities, confirms our desire to make a substantial impact on the quality of life and dignity of applicants.

On occasions the assistance we provide truly has the ability to change lives. Each application is subject to approval by board representatives.

You can help by clicking here to make a donation to SIRKS. You can also help by spreading the word, whether in person or online, about SIRKS. We would also be very grateful if you would engage with our LinkedIn page.

Donations of €250 or more made in a given tax year by an Irish tax payer can be eligible for tax relief under the Revenue Commissioner’s Charitable Donation Scheme. To allow SIRKS to claim the relief (which is very valuable to us) please click here to see the straightforward forms which must be completed and sent it to us at: 41 Fitzwilliam Square West, Dublin, D02 F961, Ireland.

If your business is willing to offer a corporate donation, whether on a once-off or ongoing basis, we would be delighted to receive it.

We would also be very happy to meet with your corporate giving team, to provide any information which you might find useful, or to discuss any special partnership or project you have in mind.

Our Donor’s Charter can be reviewed here.

If you have any questions, or require any assistance, please email fundraising@SIRKScharity.org 

The SIRKS logo incorporates one of the distinctive features of the building on Palace Street (off Dame Street, and beside one of the entrances to Dublin Castle) which was the headquarters of SIRKS from 1855 to 1992. The building remains a landmark in Dublin, with the name of our charity debossed on the façade, and is remains closely associated with SIRKS in the mind of many Dubliners. The Georgian architecture is also a fine example of a style which was modern at the time SIRKS was founded in 1790, and which has since come for many to typify the style and feel of central Dublin. 

The warm glow in the window illustrates the welcome offered by SIRKS to those in need of its assistance, and the compassionate, respectful approach with which all requests for assistance are reviewed. For more information about the history of our name click here. For more information about who we help and how we help click here.

Donations from private individuals (including legacies – both those made directly to SIRKS and those left for more general charitable purposes and of which we receive a proportion via the Charities Regulator) and companies are the most important means for SIRKS to raise funds to help those in need, and to achieve the goal of helping even greater numbers.

SIRKS is also hugely grateful for the annual Roman Catholic Church collection which takes place annually in certain Central Dublin churches for the benefit of SIRKS.

SIRKS is embarking on a new chapter in 2025, with the aim of increasing awareness of its activities, and encouraging significant additional donations from businesses and private individuals so that we may expand our activities to help a greater number of those who need our assistance and have nowhere else to turn. 

In addition to donations from businesses and private individuals, legacies, and church collections SIRKS also benefits from income from prudent investments. Recent financial statements can be seen here

The Triple Lock Standard is an initiative of the Charities Institute of Ireland (Irish Registered Charity Number 20043964) https://charitiesinstitute.ie/, and is awarded to those member charities which can demonstrate that they are committed to and have achieved the highest standards in ethical fundraising, annual and financial reporting, and governance.

The Triple Lock Standard was developed primarily to help reassure donors that they are supporting a charity which has met or exceeded the requirements of the Irish Charities Regulator. https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/

SIRKS employs an administrator, Edel Withers, who works from SIRKS’s offices at: 41 Fitzwilliam Square West, Dublin, D02 F961, Ireland. SIRKS office hours are: 9am - 1pm Monday to Thursday. Tel: (01) 667 6213 Email: office@SIRKScharity.org