Sybil Connolly- Ambassador of Style
(1921-1998)
Sybil Connolly was born in Wales on the 24th of January 1921. Her father was Irish, from Waterford, and her mother was Welsh. Her father died when she was in her teens and she moved to Waterford. Her interest in fashion led her to go to London at seventeen to study dress making with the firm Bradley & Co, who had among their clients members of the British Royal family. She returned to Ireland at the outbreak of World War II and lived there for the rest of her life, making her home at 71 Merrion Square Dublin. She died in I998.
Sybil Connolly was a pioneering designer in Ireland and one of the first to have international success, especially in America. She was among a group of Irish designers, in the 1950’s and 60’s, such as Irene Gilbert and Nelli Mulcahy who’s designs were inspired by native fabrics, turning them into high fashion garments. Later in her career she turned her attention to interior decoration and designed crystal, fabric and ceramics. Her natural style and charm made her an outstanding Ambassador for Ireland .
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