Page 104 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

A QUIET WOMAN?

predictable. And firmly underlined in July 1911 when Averil was
presented at a Court in Dublin Castle. Suitably gowned in
regulation white with plumes, gloves and lappets, mother and
daughter had patronised Mrs Moore of Dawson St for their attire.
In Averil’s case for floor length white marquisette and satin, with
diamante embroidery and silver tissue court train edged with
white sateen. Aquamarines adorned Ada Kate’s blue charmeuse
gown draped with old Brussels rose point lace and set off with a
court train of cloth of silver brocade. Mrs Featherstonhaugh was
in blue brocade, with a toning lace and chiffon draped corsage
and lace train. All that for a hot crowded walk up the stairs into
St Patrick’s Hall, a brief introduction in the Throne Room, a quick
cup of tea and out again - they were not to know that it would be
the very last of these events.

Suffrage

The French School nurtured self-confidence through music
and drama but some radical elements lurked. One teacher later
confessed she was a suffragette who had smashed windows in
London. She may well have known the Jeffcotts’ elder daughter
(Elizabeth) Olivia who was force fed during her imprisonment in
Holloway for a similar offence. Olivia was also active in Dublin
with her relatives Charlotte and Nora Stack, so Averil did not
need Hanna Sheehy Skeffington starting the Irish end of the
militant stage of the suffragette campaign protest at Greystones
harbour in 1910 to make her aware of events.

There is ample evidence of Averil’s love of theatre, which
remained a lifelong passion and theatrical skills may well have
assisted her performance as a barrister. She regularly provided
her talent in charity events, acting, for example, with Judge
Brereton Barry in 1919 in a skit on nursing homes. But one has
to wonder whether he knew that the author was a leading
member of the Actresses’ Franchise League.
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