LILY AND LOLLY YEATS

PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART TRIBUTE TO LILY AND LOLLY YEATS

A PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART TRIBUTE TO LILY AND LOLLY YEATS [LOCATED NEAR ST NAHI'S CHURCH]

Lily and Lolly Yeats: Life, Work, and Family Connections

Lily (Susan) Yeats (1866-1949) and Lolly (Elizabeth) Yeats (1868-1940) were integral figures in the Irish Arts and Crafts movement. Sisters of the renowned poet William Butler Yeats and artist Jack Butler Yeats, they were born into a highly creative family. Their parents were John Butler Yeats, an artist, and Susan Yeats (née Pollexfen). The family's history encompassed periods in Ireland (Sligo, Dublin) and England (London), and they faced financial hardships, which spurred the sisters to become industrious.

The artistic and literary atmosphere of their family significantly influenced their creative paths. They were exposed to the Arts and Crafts movement, notably through connections with figures like William Morris.

Their contributions are particularly evident in Dundrum, County Dublin:

Dun Emer and Cuala: The sisters were deeply involved in the Dun Emer Industries, founded in Dundrum in 1902. Dun Emer was a crafts collective that aimed to produce beautiful Irish-made goods.

Following a separation from Dun Emer, they established the Cuala Press and Cuala Industries in nearby Churchtown. Lily specialised in embroidery, while Lolly focused on printing and art teaching.

St. Nahi's Church:
Lily and Lolly Yeats are interred in the graveyard of St. Nahi's Church in Dundrum, marking their final resting place.
Within St. Nahi's Church, they created altar tapestries, showcasing their artistic skills.

Artistic Contributions:
Lily's expertise in embroidery was highly regarded, and she worked with notable figures in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Lolly's work in printing, particularly with the Cuala Press, contributed significantly to the Irish literary revival, publishing works by their brother W.B. Yeats and other Irish writers.

Their work was a large contribution to the Irish cultural and literary revival. They where both very talented women, who made great contributions to the arts and crafts movement.