Tours of Nellie's Flat by The Iveagh Trust

Nellie's Flat

Nellie Molloy, who passed away at the age of 95, resided at the Trust for 95 years, 87 years in 3B. She was the second eldest child and the eldest daughter of seven children. She spent 27 dedicated years as a weaver with the Greenmount Linen Co. in Harold’s Cross.

However, Nellie made the selfless decision to leave her job to care for her ailing mother. In the 1940s, she even turned down a marriage proposal from a disappointed suitor from Kilkenny due to her commitment to her mother.

After her mother's passing on October 29, 1967, Nellie continued to inhabit the same flat until her own death on the same date in 2002, marking the 35th anniversary of her mother's passing. Recognizing the historical significance of her living space, the Trustees, after discussions with the family, decided to preserve the flat as a museum—a poignant tribute to early flat design and family life within The Iveagh Trust.

Flat 3B stands unique within The Iveagh Trust's housing stock, having remained largely unchanged over the years. Most of the furniture and fittings were acquired by the Trust from Nellie's family. Despite offers from The Iveagh Trust to install internal bathroom facilities, Nellie consistently declined with gratitude, preferring to maintain the flat's original layout.


The museum flat comprises a living room and two bedrooms, one of which also serves as a food preparation area. Outside, on the landing, is a communal sink, w/c, and storage cupboard, which the family used to store coal.

We are pleased to announce that the Museum Flat will open its doors on May 10th, 2024, in collaboration with the Culture Date with Dublin 8 festival. We invite you to visit us and experience firsthand how families lived during that era.