“I’d like people to learn about these two fantastic women who made a huge contribution”: Imelda May on Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters

The poetry and plays of WB Yeats and paintings of Jack Butler Yeats have long been known in Ireland and beyond. Less known is the work of their siblings Susan (Lily) and Elizabeth (Lolly), who were often referred to only as “the sisters of” – if referred to at all.

Now, though, their time in the margins of Irish cultural history is being brought to an end. This International Women’s Day, Sky Arts finally throws a spotlight on their legacy with the premiere of Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters, a documentary that delineates the lives and work of these pioneering women. Presented by the charismatic singer-songwriter Imelda May, alongside an all-female team led by RTS award-winning director Maggie Breathnach of Red Shoe Productions, this hour-long special delves into the lives of the Yeats sisters, whose contributions to the Irish cultural revival of the 1920s have been overshadowed by their more famous family members. The documentary explores the sisters’ groundbreaking work in founding the Dun Emer Guild and later Cuala Industries, ventures that not only championed Irish craft and literature but also offered a radical model for women’s economic and cultural independence. Through interviews with experts, archival materials and visits to key locations, May embarks on a journey of discovery, shedding light on Lily and Lolly’s artistic achievements, their complex relationships within the Yeats family and their struggle against the societal constraints of their time. By paying tribute to these two incredible women, the film not only gives long forgone credit to their work but also raises questions of how many other women’s stories are yet to be told and celebrated.

The Upcoming had a wonderful chat with May about her work on the doc, which reveals their overlooked contributions in art, print, embroidery and publishing. Discovering them accidentally, May was inspired to highlight their achievements beyond being mere siblings to famous brothers. Collaborating with Breathnach, they employed a mostly female crew, acknowledging the Yeats sisters’ pioneering roles as accidental feminists and entrepreneurs, despite societal constraints. May also touched on her future projects, including music, films, a one-woman play and potential documentaries.

Sarah Bradbury

Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters is released on Sky on 8^th March 2024.