Eileen O'Casey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eileen O'Casey
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O'Casey in 1974
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| Born |
Eileen Kathleen Reynolds
27 December 1900 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 9 April 1995 (aged 94) Northwood, London, England
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Other names | Eileen Carey |
| Known for | acting and author |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3, including Breon O'Casey |
Eileen O'Casey (born Eileen Kathleen Reynolds) was a talented Irish actress and writer. She was also known by her stage name, Eileen Carey. She was born on December 27, 1900, and passed away on April 9, 1995.
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Eileen O'Casey's Early Life
Eileen Kathleen Reynolds was born in Dublin, Ireland, on December 27, 1900. Her father, Edward Reynolds, was an accountant. Her mother, Kathleen Reynolds, was a nurse from County Mayo. Eileen was their youngest daughter. Her parents had lived in South Africa. They moved back to Ireland because of the Second Boer War.
Eileen's family faced tough times when she was a child. They moved to London. After her father returned to South Africa, Eileen was sent to a boarding school. This school was run by the Sisters of Charity. Later, some of her relatives helped pay for her education. She attended the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School. Here, Eileen became very interested in singing and theatre.
After a serious illness, Eileen left school. She then worked as a tracer in London. At the same time, she took singing and dancing lessons.
Starting Her Acting Career
Eileen had her first professional performances in 1923 and 1924. She acted in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She performed with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Eileen used her mother's maiden name, Carey, as her stage name. From 1925 to 1926, she performed in musical comedies. She acted in England and America. She also worked as a model.
Career and Family Life
Eileen read a play called Juno and the Paycock by Seán O'Casey. She really wanted to meet the writer. When she returned to London from New York, she arranged to meet him. Seán O'Casey was 17 years older than her. He quickly asked her to play Nora Clitheroe. This was for the first London show of his play, The Plough and the Stars.
In June 1927, Eileen acted in another of O'Casey's plays. She played Minnie Powell in The Shadow of a Gunman. This play was shown with Riders to the Sea by John Millington Synge. In that play, Eileen performed as a keener.
Marriage and Children
Eileen and Seán O'Casey got married on September 23, 1927. Their first child was born in April 1928. Eileen kept acting for a while. She appeared in Bitter Sweet by Noël Coward. Her last stage role was in the 1932 musical Mother of Pearl. After this, she retired from acting.
The couple had two sons and one daughter. Their children were Breon (born 1928), Niall (born 1935), and Shivaun (born 1939). Sadly, Niall passed away in 1956.
Life with Seán O'Casey
Eileen and Seán were known for having many friends. These friends included writers, artists, actors, and politicians. They lived in London and Buckinghamshire. Later, they moved to Totnes (from 1938 to 1954). Then they moved to Torquay (from 1954 to 1964).
Eileen was very supportive of her husband. She helped him through tough financial times. She also cared for him when he became blind later in life. Many people said she gave Seán O'Casey a very happy home life.
Later Life and Legacy
After her husband passed away in 1964, Eileen O'Casey lived in Dún Laoghaire for a few years. She then moved back to London. She often visited Dublin and New York. During this time, she wrote and gave talks about her life with Seán O'Casey.
Eileen wrote three books: Sean (1971), Eileen (1976), and Cheerio, Titan (1991). Eileen O'Casey passed away on April 9, 1995. She was living at Denville Hall, a home for retired actors in London. Her ashes were scattered at the same place as her husband's.
