About Ernie O'Malley's

The Story of Ernie O'Malley and our Speakeasy

After the Irish Republican armies defeat in the Irish Civil War and his release from prison in 1924 Ernie travelled across Europe and North America. Later he met and married Helen Hooker of Connecticut, a talented sculptor with a passion and deep involvement in the arts, and they returned to Ireland having three children. Ernie’s written work concerning the Anglo Irish War of 1919-1921 is the definitive work of this period, acknowledged by academic and fighting participants alike.

Towards the back of the location is our speakeasy, which seats 46 and multi-purposes as a historical museum for Irish revolutionary history and a venue for plays, historical lectures, music gigs, and private events. Envisioned here is a literary space for creativity, community, the arts, and music.

The historical displays feature Ireland's revolutionary history from 1798 to the present day and strongly the New York connections to the Irish freedom struggle. There are original documents and artifacts from the 1920s, 30s, 50s, 70s, and 80s to the modern day, including political campaign posters (including the free Joe Doherty and 1981 Hunger Strike), crafts made in jail by political prisoners, and rubber bullets from Belfast.

Also, due to Ernie's son Cormac's kind donation, we feature part of a coin and stamp collection Ernie compiled himself! The museum seeks to explore New York's copperfastened connection to the various campaigns for complete independence for Ireland and general New York Irish history.