Dublin Female Penitentiary

Dublin Female Penitentiary was a reform institution for "fallen women" in Dublin, Ireland. It was established in 1810 and opened in 1813. It was run by the Church of Ireland and located between Berkeley Road, Eccles Street and North Circular Road.^[1] The institution could cater for over 40 inmates.^[2]

It was administered by a committee of ladies, for the religious and moral improvement of the women. While inmates were from all religious backgrounds (some other such institutions only accepted women of the religion of the institution), they had to adhere to the rules of the house and were instructed in the reformed faith. As with many protestant benevolent initiatives, many laywomen were involved.^[3] Mrs. Paulus Aemilius Singer of Temple Street, who served as secretary of the committee, was a notable supporter of the institution.

Penitents were employed in a laundry, washing and mangling, and also performed needlework, hatmaking and mantua-making.^[4] As with other similar institutions, the penitentiary was affiliated to a chapel (St. Augustine's Church, a chapel of ease in the parish of St George).^[5] There was a Repository where the penitents' work was sold, with income used to fund the institution. After eighteen months, places outside the laundry were sought for an inmate. Some inmates were sent to Queensland, Australia.^[6]

In 1840, the trustees put the chaplaincy under the visitation and clergy officiate under licence from the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin.^[7]