Mary Boyle O’Reilly was the eldest daughter of John Boyle O’Reilly, Irish Nationalist and poet. She belonged to many philanthropic organizations. She also served on the board of directors for the Women’s Educational Union. She was imprisoned by the Germans during World War I. After the war, she participated in a number of public speaking engagements sharing her war experience.
Agnes Smiley O’Reilly Hocking was the third daughter of John Boyle O’Reilly. In 1915, she and a group of Cambridge families started an open-air school. Classes were first held on the “back porch” of the Hockings’ house on Quincy Street in Cambridge. The school enrollment quickly outgrew the space. They moved to Shady Hill Square and named the school after its location. The Shady Hill School is now located near Harvard Square.
