| Story |
Helen and Ernie O’Malley visited the late-12thcentury Cistercian monastery, Jerpoint Abbey, during the late 1930’s. Helen returned in 1975 to photograph its arcade. To achieve this illuminated perspective of the pillared knights, she waited until the sun’s rays provided the right contrast to emphasize the sculptural craftsmanship of these effigies. |
| Location |
Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny |
| Date |
1975 |
| Purchase |
BUY NOW or CUSTOM ORDER |
| Story |
The ruins of Castleleaffy Castle stand guard over Roscahill inlet near Westport. The remaining walls bear the scars of war, but the gracefully arched interior of the quarters can be clearly seen. In the 16th century, sons of powerful Irish clan chieftains were fostered out to be educated and trained in the arts of leadership and war. The heirs were entrusted to only the most highly regarded allies. Granuaile sent her son Tibbott to be fostered at Roscahill by Edmund Mac Tibbott, a sub-chieftain of her husband Richard Burke. Burke lived in the barony of Burrishoole near where Helen and Ernie O’Malley later moved and farmed. |
| Location |
Roscahill, Westport, Co. Mayo |
| Date |
1975 |
| Order |
BUY NOW or CUSTOM ORDER |
| Story |
Granuaile or Grace O’Malley (1530-1603) was the daughter of Eoghan Dubhara Ó Máille, the Chieftain of the O’Malley Clan in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo. She married but returned home from Connemara after her first husband was killed. He had been a chieftain of the O’Flaherty Clan. Grace established her own fleet of ships and took over at least three castle encircling Clew Bay: one on Achill Island’s Kildavnet, one on Clare Island and this one at Carraigahowley. In 1593, Granuaile met in London with another formidable woman, Queen Elizabeth I. The Irish Pirate Queen met with the English monarch to petition for the release of her imprisoned son Tibbott Burke, the restoration of his right to his ancestral lands, and for him eventually to be given the title, “Viscount of Mayo.” Granuaile succeeded. Although Helen originally photographed this site in 1939, she took this picture in 1976 after the castle had been restored. |
| Location |
Carraigahowley, Co. Mayo |
| Date |
1975 |
| Order |
BUY NOW or CUSTOM ORDER |
| Story |
Helen Hooker and Ernie O’Malley rented a house in Louisburgh, Co. Mayo in the summer of 1938. They travelled around Mayo including Clew Bay and its many islands. On one excursion, they visited Clare Island on the day of the annual hooker sailboat regatta. Currach rowing boats also would have raced. Michael Murray, his wife, daughter, and other island friends gather near the base of Granuaile’s Clare Island castle. Granuaile, or Grace O’Malley, was known as the “Pirate Queen of Ireland“ (1530-1603). This 16th century square keep is one of several castles around Clew Bay. |
| Location |
Co. Mayo |
| Date |
1938 |
| Order |
BUY NOW or CUSTOM ORDER |
| Story |
For 700 years, Dublin Castle was the center of Britain’s rule over Ireland. Over the years, the complex grew to include offices, living space and prison cells. This image shows an alleyway within the Castle grounds. When Ernie O’Malley was captured by the British in December 1920, he was imprisoned and tortured in Dublin Castle. Helen’s perspective on this laneway causes even the viewer to feel trapped, as if being funneled towards barred windows and bricked walls with no chance of escape. |
| Location |
Dublin |
| Date |
1936 |
| Purchase |
BUY NOW or CUSTOM ORDER |
