Behind the doors of Ireland’s first social housing: 140 years brought to life

Almost 140 years of history at Ireland’s first social housing development will be explored in a new exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

‘Echoes Through the Hallway: The Story of Ellis Court’, 140 Years in the Making, tells the story of Ellis Court on Benburb Street and the generations of people who made their homes there.

Built in the 1880s as part of Ireland’s first social housing development, Ellis Court, originally called the Dublin Corporation Artisan Dwellings, was a pioneering response to severe overcrowding and poor housing conditions in the city. 

The story comes full circle with the recent regeneration of Ellis Court.

After being badly damaged by fire and lying vacant for many years, a €9 million regeneration involving Tuath Housing, Dublin City Council and the Department of Housing brought this historic complex back to its original purpose.

Today, 22 modern social homes of apartments and townhouses occupy the restored buildings, almost 140 years after families first made their homes here.

The exhibition charts the changing fortunes of Ellis Court and its community over the many decades – from home and family life in the context of poverty, poor public health and overcrowding, to the campaigns by residents for better living conditions.

Echoes Through the Hallway draws on maps, architectural drawings, newspaper reports and archival records, revealing how people lived, worked and raised families as the capital, and the nation, changed around them. At the heart of this exhibition, however, are the people.

Family photographs, oral histories and personal memories capture childhoods, neighbours, local businesses and everyday life, preserving rich experiences and memories to historical record.

Someone with vivid memories of this street is local man Ronnie Byrne, who grew up on Benburb Street in the 1940s and 50s.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Ronnie stated; “My family over five generations lived, loved and worked in Benburb Street.

“I myself all through my early years have experienced the sights, the sounds and the smells that permeated from the industries that surrounded the area.

“I remember most of all the people who had experienced hardships through rebellions, pandemics and World Wars.

“Yet they smiled and continued to contribute to a thriving community that made our society what it is today.”

The exhibition is a collaborative project by Tuath Housing and Dublin City Council.

Dr Eimear Rosato, Research and Policy Specialist with Tuath Housing, said: “Ellis Court has an extraordinary place in the history of housing in Ireland.

“Almost 140 years after these buildings were first created to provide homes, they are once again doing just that for a new generation.

“But this exhibition is ultimately about people. It brings together the photographs, memories and experiences of generations of families and gives us a remarkable insight into how people lived and how their community changed around them.

“We are proud to partner with Dublin City Council and the National Museum of Ireland to preserve and share those stories, particularly at Collins Barracks, so close to where this history unfolded.”

The National Museum of Ireland’s Interim Director, Dr Éimear O’Connor, expressed how: “This exhibition reflects the National Museum of Ireland’s commitment to sharing stories that challenge, connect and deepen our understanding of Ireland and its people.

“Ellis Court sits just a short distance from Collins Barracks, making this project particularly meaningful as it creates a bridge between the Museum and the communities on our doorstep.

“While we are a national cultural institution, we are equally committed to being a valued local resource, rooted in the place and people around us.

“Through this collaboration, we are bringing overlooked histories into the spotlight and creating new opportunities for conversation, connection and belonging, linking past experiences with the realities of community life today.

“It’s interesting how the themes of this exhibition, those of housing, home and place, consistently come up in exhibitions we’ve collaborated on with communities local to Collins Barracks.

“From the 2014 exhibition ‘Beyond Pebbledash’ to ‘Kingdom of Dust’ in 2017 and the ‘Little Houses’ exhibition during the pandemic, and now ‘Echoes Through the Hallway’ – each of these exhibitions and the projects they emerged from underline how fundamental housing is as a human right.”

Dublin City Council Deputy Chief Architect Owen O’Doherty added: “Housing is at the centre of our history as a city, and Ellis Court is a prime example of how the regeneration of historical buildings can provide much-needed homes while also transforming our urban spaces.

“We at Dublin City Council are very proud to see the past, the present and the future of housing in Dublin brought to life in this exhibition, and grateful to our partners at Tuath Housing and the National Museum for their collaboration on this project. “

Echoes Through the Hallway: The Story of Ellis Court, 140 Years in the Making is now open to the public at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Admission is free.

Talks led by the exhibition curators will take place on Saturday 3 and Saturday 10 October as part of the Dublin Festival of History.

A further session for Open House, Dublin’s free festival of architecture, will take place on Saturday 17 October.

Full details of the exhibition and all associated events are available here: Echoes Through the Hallway: The Story of Ellis Court, 140 Years in the Making | Decorative Arts & History | National Museum of Ireland