Nelly O'Brien facts for kids

Ellen Lucy, also known as Nelly O'Brien (born 4 June 1864 – died 1 April 1925), was an Irish artist. She was known for painting tiny portraits called miniatures and beautiful landscapes. Nelly was also an important activist for the Gaelic League, an organization that promoted the Irish language and culture.

Quick facts for kids Nelly O'Brien
Born	4 June 1864
Died	1 April 1925  (aged 60) London
Occupation	Artist
Family	Dermod O'Brien

Early Life and Family Connections

Nelly O'Brien was born Ellen Lucy O'Brien on 4 June 1864. Her birthplace was Cahirmoyle, in County Limerick, Ireland. She was the oldest child of Edward William O'Brien and Mary O'Brien. Her father owned land, and her mother was a talented sculptor and painter.

Her Siblings and Grandfather

Nelly had two younger siblings, Lucy and Dermod. Her brother Dermod also grew up to become an artist, just like Nelly. Their grandfather was William Smith O'Brien, a very important figure in Irish history.

Childhood and Education

When Nelly was very young, her family lived in the French Riviera for two years, from 1866 to 1868. Sadly, her mother passed away when Nelly was young. Nelly and her siblings were then raised by their aunt, Charlotte Grace O'Brien. She was a writer and a nationalist, meaning she cared deeply about her country.

Nelly went to school in England starting in 1879. Later, she decided to study painting at the famous Slade School of Art.

Personal Connections

Through her brother Dermod, Nelly met another artist named Walter Osborne. They were very close, but sadly, Osborne died in 1903. A painting of Nelly by Walter Osborne can be seen today at the Hugh Lane Gallery. Nelly O'Brien passed away suddenly on 1 April 1925, while visiting her brother Dermod in London. She was buried in her family's plot in Cahirmoyle.

Nelly O'Brien's Artistic Work

After her studies, Nelly O'Brien returned to Ireland. She began painting tiny pictures called miniatures, often on ivory. She used a magnifying glass to create these detailed works. She also painted beautiful watercolour landscapes.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Nelly first showed her art at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in 1896. She displayed three pieces, including one called Sketch near Malahide. She continued to exhibit her work with the RHA on and off until 1922.

In 1904, Nelly showed several of her miniature portraits at an exhibition of Irish painters in the Guildhall, London. Her paintings were also featured at the 1906 Oireachtas na Gaeilge, a festival celebrating Irish culture. That same year, she became an honorary secretary for a new art committee. At an exhibition in Limerick in 1906, she displayed 12 of her works, including a miniature of her grandfather, William Smith O'Brien. She painted many portraits, including one of Douglas Hyde, which was shown at the RHA in 1916.

Activism and the Gaelic League

Nelly O'Brien was an early and dedicated member of the Gaelic League. This organization worked to bring back and promote the Irish language and culture. She was at its very first festival, the Oireachtas, in 1897. She also helped start a branch of the League called Craobh na gCúig gCúigí, which means "Branch of the Five Provinces."

Promoting Irish Language and Culture

In 1905, Nelly wrote a long letter defending Douglas Hyde and the Gaelic League in a newspaper. She held regular meetings for her branch of the Gaelic League at her flat in St Stephen's Green every Saturday night in 1907.

In 1911, Nelly founded an Irish language college called Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraí. It was located in Carrigaholt, County Clare, and named after Eugene O'Curry, a famous Irish scholar. Nelly started this college with help from her cousin and friend, Mary Spring Rice.

Vision for a United Ireland

One of Nelly's big goals was to create a national Irish church. She hoped this church would bring together Protestants and Catholics through their shared love for the Irish language. To help achieve this, she started the Irish Guild of the Church with Seoirse de Rút in 1914. This group aimed to unite members of the Church of Ireland who supported "Irish Ireland" ideals.

Travels and Later Activism

As a representative for the Gaelic League, Nelly traveled to the United States with Fionan MacColuim from 1914 to 1915. They went to raise money and promote Irish art and industries. At her college, Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraí, Nelly emphasized how important it was to speak Irish at home. She also believed that the skills of homemakers and domestic workers were key to strengthening the Irish language and culture.

Nelly O'Brien was staying with the Hyde family during the 1916 Easter Rising. This event caused a lot of damage, and her own flat was destroyed. She later spoke out against a bill that would force people in Ireland to join the army. She did this at a large meeting of women at the Mansion House, Dublin in 1918. In 1919, she launched the Gaelic Churchman, a publication for the Irish Guild of the Church. In one article, she strongly promoted her campaign for Irish-language services in Protestant churches. As vice-president of the guild, she even invited Éamon de Valera, a future leader of Ireland, to attend one of their meetings in 1921.