Eileen Gray portrait from 1926
Born Kathleen Eileen Moray Smith on August 9, 1878, the Brownswood native would not only defy convention, not only overcome those obstacles, she would become a world leader in her field, an iconic figure who continues to be celebrated decades after her death.
Eileen s father, James McLaren Smith (1832-1900), was a painter, her mother, Eveleen (1841-1918) an Anglo-Irish aristocrat whose lineage could be traced back to King James V.
Clearly these were not your average Enniscorthy family.
While the young Eileen undoubtedly had a better start to life than most, a most affluent upbringing, she displayed the single-mindedness which would serve her well in later life from a young age.
The Brownswood woman who broke down barriers and created the most enduring of legacies independent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.