Eileen Gray

Irish Design Pioneer....her chair sold for 21.9m euro despite/because of, the credit crunch.

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Entertainment

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• Design
• Pioneers of Design
• .Wexford
• Yves St Laurent
• Auction

[MrRKQ]

@xyzillii There is an Eileen Gray exhibit in the local Museum. One floor of the Castle is dedicated to her and her work. Naturally funding is limited so the museum can't afford many exhibits ( a chair cost 21million)

As a resident of Enniscorthy I am unaware of any sectarianism. Enniscorthy has a rich Republican past in 1798 & 1916. The slaughter of 98 is a memory that overshadows many things. I agree that wareness of Eileen Gray's contibution to twenth centry art & architecture is lacking.

[xyzllii]

@MrRKQ Of course 1798 was not a republican uprising...it was a United Irishman's rebellion...Wolfe Tone and dissenters etc..The Catholic church were actually pro British Royalty in the beginning of that...until they picked up the mood of the people..Delighted to hear that there is a floor in the Castle...thanks for that info...

[MrRKQ]

Eileen Gray was born on 9 August 1878 into an aristocratic family near Enniscorthy, a market town in south-eastern Ireland. The house is now a Gael Scoil (Irish speaking school). It was a hospital in 1970's. Some of her work is currently on display in Enniscorthy Castle Museum.

[xyzllii]

@MrRKQ Thanks...but I did say she came from Enniscorthy..obviously...Eille­en Grey is still woefully neglected in Ireland and no one gave a care about keeping her home in tact as a museum as would have happened in any other civilised country. As a person who went in regularly to Enniscorthy Library...I never saw one single piece of hers on display...nor was there any mention of her anywhere ! But then...she was a Protestant Woman...and therefore not the real 'Irish' thing in the eyes of many !

[xyzllii]

@MrRKQ Sorry...I meant sovereignty not royalty...

[MrRKQ]

@xyzllii I believe 1798 Rebellion was an uprising inspired by the French Revolution, a desire for a new Republic by the United Irishmen. I do not see history in a sectarian way. I do not use the terms "Protestant, pro British Royalty or Catholic Church." It is a pity that comments about Eileen Gray brings the past to the forerfront but that might be why we Irish do not discuss our history much. I studied Architecture, I love Eileen Gray's work and I am very proud she was from Enniscorthy.

[xyzllii]

The V and A I suppose you mean ? The Georgian House was rebuilt as a Victorian Mansion...hardly Tudor...not wishing to be argumentitive...but...!!

E. HATED it ...All the same...her childhood days on the banks of the Slaney stayed with her...just as any childhood stays with us all.

[leapoffat]

Eileens birth name was actually Moray. Her brother in law Henry Campbell persuaded them to change name to Gray the baroness title entitle to Eileens mother. It was also this Henry Campbell that persuaded the family to convert the family home in brownswood to the Tudor monstrosity of today. Eileen herself said that it was this more than anything that drove her away from her family. The Irish museum wrote to Eileen to get some pieces in the 90´s. The British museum was 20 years quicker.