A new documentary hosted by singer-songwriter Imelda May is set to air this Friday 8 March.
The Sky Original documentary, Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters, explores the story and legacy of Susan (Lily) and Elizabeth (Lolly) Yeats, who played a significant role in the Irish cultural and literary revival of the 1920s.
Speaking about the documentary, May said: "Lily and Lolly were the sisters of well-loved literary genius W.B. Yeats, world-renowned painter Jack Butler Yeats and daughter of celebrated artist John Butler Yeats – if known at all, they were most often only referred to as 'the sisters of…', even though they were hugely talented in their own right."
She continued, "I came across them in 2017 when working on my 3Arena show wanting to project onstage the names of exceptional people, especially largely forgotten exceptional Irish women, who contributed hugely to our culture in Ireland."
Saying that she was "curious" as to why she had never heard of them prior to this, she then learned of "their artistic contribution to Irish culture and in business, through extraordinary textile craftwork and literature."
The singer said she was "delighted" when her friend and producer Maggie Breathnach and Sky Arts agreed to make a documentary telling the sisters' remarkable story: "We hope you love discovering the amazing sisters in this special piece of documented history as much as we loved making it."
Over the span of four decades, the sisters were responsible for the publishing of over 70 beautiful titles including works by many of the period’s leading Irish authors – W.B. Yeats, J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory.
Alongside a friend of theirs, Evelyn Gleeson, the sisters set up the first and only craft guild of its kind, the Dun Emer Guild, which employed only women. The ethos behind the group was to "find work for Irish hands in the making of beautiful things" and to promote women’s economic and cultural independence.
The film touches on their complicated relationships with their brothers, as well as each other, and explores their resilience in the face of lifelong illness, financial struggles and working as creatives.
Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters will air this International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March on Sky Arts and NOW.
