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18. *Estella Frances Solomons HRHA (1882-1968)
The Butterwoman
Oil on canvas, 68.5 x 56cm
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While avoiding the sniping on Baggot Street Bridge Estella met a kindred spirit, Kathleen Goodfel-
low and together they enlisted in Cumann na mBan, the auxiliary branch of women volunteers. By
1918 every working-class women was a member of Cumann na mBan so powerful the organisa-
tion developed, and the fastidious Countess Markievicz was at their head. Phyllis Ryan to be Seán
T. O’Kelly’s future wife drilled the unit that Estella was attached. After training when most members
were sent down the country Estella stayed and gave her support in Dublin.
A period of uncertainty reigned. Ireland was experiencing the duplicity of Lloyd George and his
colleagues, and their prevarication; and houses were subjected to close searches for arms. Estella
surprised her parents by taking an inordinate interest in gardening and she raised superb heads of
lettuce for family consumption. Beneath the lettuce heads were concealed supplies of ammunition
for Sinn Féin volunteers and she would deliver these to an agent, whom she called “The butterman”
in Baggot Street. He taught her how to fire a revolver which they practised in his backyard.“The
Butterman” was later arrested but not for his revolutionary activities but for his habit of watering
the milk.This portrait of his wife, a good natured, benevolent plump woman, hung in Estella’s Studio
until her death.
This note is an edited section from “Portraits of Patriots” by Hilary Pyle 1966.
