The local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul is known as the St. Francis' Conference and was established in the Parish in July 1983.The founding members were: Fr. Vincent O' Donoghue, Fr. Liam Ryan, Sr. Patrick, Joan O' Connell, Eileen Harrington, Ned Thornton, Tom Blake, Billy Nagle, Jack Mulvey, Leonie Ward and Michael O' Keeffe.
After working for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley-slaves, St. Vincent de Paul became leader of the Vincentians. He organised confraternities for the spiritual and physical relief of the poor and sick of each parish. From these, with the help of St. Louise de Marillac, came the Sisters of Charity. St. Vincent organised the rich women of Paris to collect funds which enabled him to found several hospitals, to relieve the victims of war and to ransom over 1200 galley-slaves from North Africa. Pope Leo XIII made him patron of all charitable societies.
As we know it, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam, an admirer of St. Vincent de Paul.
The Present Conference meet once a fortnight to discuss the many appeals that have come through the dedicated phone service. Funds are collected after Masses at the weekend and those in need of help are assisted. Long experience has taught members of the Society to recognise genuine need. The phone number to contact a member of the Conference to make an appeal for assistance is 086/0209477.