Category Archives: Urban

Mary Elmes was an an Irish aid worker who saved many Jewish children from being transported to concentration camps during World War II.

In 1942, the Vichy authorities made it clear that Jewish children were not legally allowed to be exempt from being sent to the concentration camps, as they had been. Elmes, with help from some colleagues, rescued dozens of children, taking them to safe houses or helping them flee the country altogether. Well aware that she was putting herself at risk, Elmes hid many children in the boot of her car and drove them to safe destinations. She aided many others by securing documents, which allowed for them to escape through the undercover network in Vichy France.

She was born in Cork in 1908 and today, a new bridge named in her honour was opened officially (backup) by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan.

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