Ellen lived in Kilkenny and became intensely interested in the Irish language, seeing its vicissitudes reflected in the Hebrew language. In 1922, she was one of just four women elected to the Seanad, and the first Jew to serve as a Senator in Ireland. 2/2

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Ellen Odette Cuffe, Countess of Desart (née Bischoffsheim) was born on 1 September 1857. She was a London-born Jewish woman who was best known as an Irish politician Gaelicist (President of the Gaelic League for a time), and philanthropist in Ireland. She has been called '"the most important Jewish woman in Irish history". 1/2

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