23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Fabric of Wicklow community to be woven into intergenerational quilt project
Transforming recycled textiles into a stunning, large-scale quilt celebrating the spirit of Annacurra, the amazing 'Fabric of the Community' community project is funded by Creative Wicklow grant support from Wicklow County Council.
A testament to local dedication, Annacurra Community Hall was built by volunteers in the early eighties and serves as the inspiration and central location for Fabric of the Community in a heartfelt celebration of this remarkable community spirit and the enduring significance of the hall itself.
A key element of the project will involve the local Foróige youth group, led by youth leaders Sinéad McGarry and Edel Dowling.
Through dedicated drama workshops with multi-disciplinary artist Andrea Kelly, utilising found materials and local folklore, the young participants will delve into the history and heritage of Annacurra. Their creative explorations will directly inform their contributions to the quilt, either through the physical fabric or as metaphorical inspiration.
The Foróige members will be actively involved in documenting the project, learning videography skills with Andrea as they conduct interviews with the local individuals who were instrumental in building the beloved community hall.
The Fabric of the Community quilt will unfold through a series of engaging summer quilting workshops with Lucy Moller, providing accessible creative opportunities for everyone to participate.
Participants will learn basic quilting techniques and explore the imaginative possibilities of transforming pre-loved fabrics into beautiful quilt squares. Each unique square will be imbued with personal stories and symbols, creating a rich tapestry of community narratives.
The culmination of Fabric of the Community will be a visually striking quilt and a compelling digital record, approximately 10 to 15 minutes long.
This combined artwork will serve as a lasting historical testament to the project's collaborative nature, the enduring strength of the Annacurra community, and the vital role of the community hall. The finished quilt will take pride of place in the Foróige hub within the hall during Heritage Week 2025.
Beyond creating a beautiful piece of art, Fabric of the Community aims to foster community cohesion and social inclusion through the traditional Irish craft of quilt-making and storytelling, and provide accessible creative opportunities for community members of all ages and skill levels.
It will also preserve and celebrate local stories and cultural heritage through the art of quilting, raise awareness about the rich cultural narrative of quilt-making in Ireland, highlighting its historical significance beyond mere craft and promote environmental sustainability by championing textile upcycling and reducing waste, echoing the resourceful spirit of past generations.
'This project is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community of Annacurra, share stories, and create something beautiful and meaningful together,' Lucy Moller of Refashioned said.
'We need donations of fabrics to make this project work, so we are asking the community to help us by giving us fabrics, textiles and clothing that can be reused in this quilt.'
'We encourage everyone in Annacurra, regardless of their sewing experience, to get involved and contribute to this unique celebration of our shared history and spirit,' Sinéad McGarry added.
Residents of Annacurra and surrounding areas are invited to participate in the workshops and contribute their stories and fabric scraps.
The project depends on donations of fabrics, clothing and textiles to re-purpose into the community quilt. You can donate materials at a drop-off location at The Saltee Pub in Annacurra, between 4 pm and 8 pm until Friday, April 25.
Details regarding community quilting workshop schedules will be announced shortly on the Annacurra Events Facebook page. These will take place throughout May to July.
Contact foroigeannacurra@ for more information on how to get involved.
