American Eye Witness- Bostonian Ellen F O’Connor ‘aftermath of the Battle of Dublin.’

Ellen F O’Connor (1874-1943) was a 46 year old, American, a Teacher who taught at the Prince School and later at West Roxbury High, Boston. A singer who took part in church musicals and other recitals. She gave an annual lecture on Irish Art at Boston Library.

She availed of a sabbatical from school to undertake travel, and she visited Europe, Central and South America. Her photographs number several thousand, now in the Boston Library Collection mainly come from her travels. There are 1,984 images that she took in Ireland.

10 Pembroke Rd., Dublin, drawing room of Miss Gleeson’s home where I lived during the winter of 1921-1922. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
10 Pembroke Rd., Dublin, Miss Gleeson’s home, 18th century houses. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.

She stayed with Miss Gleeson of the Dún Emer Industries. Living with her at her home 10 Pembroke Street, Dublin. Miss O’Connor documented the destruction of Dublin following the fighting in June and early July 1922. She described it as ‘aftermath of the Battle of Dublin.’ 

Dublin, Ireland, near the “Four Courts,” after the bombardment and the fire. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
In O’Connell St., Dublin, after the bombardment and fire. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
O’Connell St., Dublin, after the bombardment and fire. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
O’Connell St., Dublin, after the bombardment and fire. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
Ruins in O’Connell St., Dublin, after the fighting and the fire. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
Ruins of the “Four Courts,” after the bombardment and fire, Dublin. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
Ruins of the “Four Courts,” Dublin, Ireland, after the bombardment. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
Battle of Dublin aftermath. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.
Battle of Dublin aftermath. Courtesy of Ellen F. O’Connor Collection, Boston Public Library.

You can view the full Ellen F O’Connor Collection on the Boston Public Library website here.