The 13th of November is International Kindness day so we are remembering a largely forgotten Tipperary philanthropist - Mary Power Lalor from Longorchard, Templetuohy.
Mary Frances Power Lalor (1840–1913) was one of Ireland’s most active female philanthropists during the late Victorian era, blending charity with a vision of social stability. Born into a Catholic landowning family in County Tipperary, she embraced a lifelong mission to alleviate hardship while preserving the traditional social order.
Her charitable philosophy centred on self-help over dependency, a principle she applied during major crises. During the 1879–80 famine scare, she led the Dublin Committee of the New York Herald Relief Fund, organizing school meal programmes that fed thousands of children across Ireland. This initiative not only addressed hunger but encouraged school attendance, reflecting her belief in education as a tool for progress. Similarly, in 1883, she spearheaded relief efforts in famine-stricken Donegal, personally touring affected areas and providing daily meals to over 2,000 children, irrespective of creed.
Power Lalor’s most enduring contribution was the Irish Distressed Ladies Fund (IDLF), founded in 1886 to assist impoverished female gentry whose incomes collapsed during rent strikes and boycotting. The fund combined financial aid with opportunities for economic independence, promoting cottage industries and technical training. She championed lace-making as a national craft, serving as Government Inspector and advocating Irish products in Britain to stimulate trade and employment.
Beyond emergency relief, Power Lalor worked tirelessly to advance industrial and technical education, believing practical skills would “raise the standard of civilisation” in Ireland. Her efforts extended to numerous organizations, including the Irish Home Industries Association and committees for women’s employment and welfare.
While professing neutrality, her philanthropy carried implicit political weight—reinforcing landlord authority and unionist ideals. Yet, at its heart, her work sought to protect the vulnerable, empower women, and foster economic resilience, embodying a Victorian ideal of charity infused with social responsibility.
Sources:
Andrew G. Newby, ‘The Evils Which Have Arisen in My Country’: Mary Power Lalor and Active Female Landlordism during the Land Agitation, published in the Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies, Volume 10, Issue 1 (2020) pp71-94.
