Lillie Connolly

The year of Connolly's birth remains uncertain but it is believed that she was born in 1867 or 1868 in Carnew, in County Wicklow,[1][2] Lillie Agnes Reynolds.[3] Her family was Protestant. Her father was John, a farm labourer, and Margaret Reynolds (née Newman).[4] Connolly was the fourth child in the family and she had an older sister named Maggie who was born in 1861, and identical twin brothers, Johnny and George who were born in 1863. When her father died, the family moved to Rathmines, Dublin.[5][6]

Connolly was a member of the Girls Friendly Society in the Church of Ireland. This society, organised by the church itself, was set up to help girls particularly from rural Ireland to find some sort of employment. This organisation found Connolly work as a domestic servant with William and Anne Wilson in Dublin. Mr Wilson was a stockbroker and notary public. He and his family lived at 35 Merrion Square East, Dublin. During the time that Connolly worked for this family, she rose from her position as a maid to that of a governess to the couple's younger children.[2] In 1887 or 1888,[6] Connolly met James Connolly who at that time was in the British Army stationed in Ireland.[7][8] They corresponded for a number of years after James returned to Scotland, and Connolly sent money to James to support him and his family.[9]

James became more active in revolutionary politics and played a central role in the 1916 Easter Rising. Just before the Rising, Connolly sold what possessions the family had had and moved back to Dublin from Belfast, staying at Markievicz's cottage at Ticknock.[32] Both Nora and Ina were involved in preparations for the Rising, with Connolly giving them £1 each beforehand.[6] Connolly and James argued about their son, Roddy, taking part in the Rising which he ultimately did.[33] From the cottage, Connolly saw large parts of central Dublin burn as the rebellion unfolded.[34] When both her husband and son were arrested after their surrender Connolly returned to Dublin, living with William O'Brien and his family. Connolly feared that Roddy could be sentenced to death,[35] but he was released after 8 days due to his young age.[6] Connolly visited her husband in Dublin Castle, first accompanied by Fiona,[36] and then again by Nora on 11 May.[37][38] During the second visit, James told her he had been sentenced to death, to which she responded "But your beautiful life, Jim, your beautiful life!" Connolly became so distraught she had to be removed from his room by a nurse.[39][6]

James was executed on 12 May 1916.[26] Following his death, Connolly was visited by a young, teenage soldier who claimed to have been in her husband's firing squad. She comforted him, and told him he did not need her forgiveness.[40] Like the other widows of the executed leaders, Connolly was prevented from claiming her husband's body for burial. She was also unsuccessful in claiming his belongings, having just his wallet returned. The Connollys remained with the O'Briens, though they were aware that they were an increasing burden. They received a number of individual donations, including from George Bernard Shaw.[41]

Three months later Connolly received £50 from the Irish Volunteer Dependants Fund[26] as 3 members of the family were working.[42] She also accepted funds from the White Cross, but in 1920 refused a pension from the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union.[43] Connolly became a Catholic on 15 August 1916.[27] James had been a Roman Catholic and before his death he had asked her to become a Catholic. They raised their children as Catholics.[14][44] Connolly did attempt to return to the United States with her family, as her husband had wanted, but their passport application was refused.[45]

After James' execution Connolly kept out of the limelight and spent her time occupied with family and domestic affairs, returning to live in Rathmines[46] in 1923, living at 36 Belgrave Square. She often visited Pimlico during this time.[6] She was awarded a military pension, which paid for the education of her youngest daughter, Fiona.[47] Their daughter Nora became interested in politics as an adult, and she and her husband Seamus worked with the Labour Party. Both Roddy and Ina were also involved in politics during their father's lifetime and after.[48] When Roddy's wife died in 1930, he and their young sons lived with Connolly.[49]

Towards the end of 1937, she attended a children's dancing festival which was her last public event.[49] On 23 December, the Irish Press reported that she had fallen ill and doctors were attending her at her home.[50] She died four weeks later on 22 January 1938 at the age of 71. She had a state funeral in Dublin on 29 January 1938.[51] The Irish Times reporting on her funeral wrote: "Throughout her life the late Mrs Connolly appeared but rarely in public. She was of the most retiring and modest disposition, home-loving and devoted to the welfare of her family".[52] The Irish Press stated:

"Lillie Connolly lived a hard life but she was satisfied that it should be so because she knew, even when her children were hungry and her husband unemployed, when the fire was small and everything that could be sold was gone, that this was all to be suffered in the cause of changing the miserable lives of the workers and the poor and making the world a better place for all."[53]

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