The Irish White Cross was established on 1 February 1921 after the Red Cross (based in Geneva) refused Irish requests for help. [1] It served as a mechanism for distributing funds raised by the American Committee for Relief in Ireland. [2] It was managed by the Quaker businessman, and later Irish Free State senator, James G. Douglas. Maire Comerford was a member of the General Council of the Irish White Cross who traveled throughout Ireland organizing committees for the collection and distribution of relief funds. [3]
Contents
The White Cross continued to operate until the Irish Civil War and its books were officially closed in 1928. From 1922 its activities were essentially wound down and remaining funds divested to subsidiary organizations. The longest running of these aid committees was the Children's Relief Association which distributed aid to child victims of this troubled period, north and south of the border, until 1947. [4]
