Born in Philippeville on 29 September 1935, Irolla was the son of maritime carpenter Raphaël Irolla and painter Vincente Féola. His first exhibition took place in his hometown in 1952.[2] However, he left Algeria the following year and settled in Montmartre, where he met Fernand Herbo [fr] and Maurice Utrillo and began developing his personal style.[3][4] He was taken in by his uncle, Charles Féola while he pursued his early art career.[5]
In May 1956, he entered the School of Applied Artillery, where he met the medievalist Jean-Pierre Ravaux [fr].[6] He exhibited his works for the military in May 1957.[7] As a member of the 59th Artillery Regiment [fr] during the Algerian War, fighting in El Oued, Touggourt, Biskra, and his native Philippeville, which became Skikda after the war.[6] He went on to live in Champigny-sur-Marne and Châlons-sur-Marne. He made paintings for the Basilica of Saint-Julian, Brioude and the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie de Châlons-en-Champagne.[6] In 2008, he retired and moved to Niort.[8]
Irolla died on 3 October 2025, at the age of 90.[9]
