Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Textile Details

'Northern Ireland Reconciliation Quilt', by Women Together, Belfast. (Photo: Colin Peck)
'Northern Ireland Reconciliation Quilt', by Women Together, Belfast. (Photo: Colin Peck)

 

Title of Textile:Northern Ireland Reconciliation Quilt
Maker: Women Together
Country of Origin: Northern Ireland
Year Produced: 1995c
Size (cm): 1.82m (w) x 2.28m (l)
Materials: A mixture of natural and synthetic fabrics
Type of Textile: Quilt
Description:

Women Together was founded in the Autumn of 1970 by Ruth Agnew and Monica Patterson, when violence from The Troubles was at it’s height. Ruth, a Protestant, fervently believed that women should unite and use their influence to promote peace and reconciliation within Northern Ireland. She and Monica, an English Catholic, living in Belfast, held a public meeting and Women Together was born.

From the beginning, it worked to end sectarian violence, support the victims of violence, give women a “voice” and create a pluralistic society based on mutual understanding and respect.

This quilt focuses on reconciliation and predates the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. It was completed by women and womens’ organisations all over Ireland and includes a panel from Australia. It reflects these womens’ tentative steps of moving towards reconciliation amidst the conflict and creating a better, more peaceful present and future in Northern Ireland.

Handwritten testimony from Pat Campbell is available here and in the 'textile detail' section below.

Owner: Women Together
Location: Conflict Textiles store
Original / Replica: Original
Photographer: Colin Peck
Provenance: Women Together





Textile Detail Image(s)

  Handwritten letter (undated) from Pat Campbell to Conflict Textiles curator Roberta Bacic on the background to and process of making the Northern Ireland Reconciliation quilt.