Sabina Higgins Views FirstLight Memory Patch Quilt at Áras an Uachtaráin
On Thursday, November 25th, FirstLight’s patron Sabina Higgins very kindly hosted a photo shoot at Áras an Uachtaráin to honour the formal unveiling of the third Memory Patch Quilt. It was a lovely way to acknowledge the love that was poured into the quilt by each of the families who contributed to it. FirstLight would like to sincerely thank Sabina for her hospitality and use of the Áras an Uachtaráin.
This third quilt could not have been completed were it not for the 28 families who contributed their square, specifically designed and made in memory of their child. A sincere thank you to Darina Howard, who so kindly took on the sole role of putting the entire quilt together. We would also like to sincerely thank the Drogheda Quilters Group, who provided all the families with instructions on how to plan their design and create their patch. Finally, thank you to Sarane Brennan of Quayside Quilting in Wicklow Town, who gave it its finishing touches.
In previous years there have been two other FirstLight Memory Quilts created. The first was made in the lead up to FirstLight’s, known at that stage as the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association, 25th anniversary. It was proposed by Bernadette Kiberd that it would be fitting to mark the occasion. It was decided that making a quilt that all ISIDA families would have the opportunity to contribute to would be a special way to acknowledge the 25th anniversary. The first quilt had 59 patches and was initially exhibited in the College of Physicians during the International Conference of Sudden Infant Death before being displayed in many different exhibitions, meetings and memorial services all over the country. In 2013, when it was decided that ISIDA would be renamed FirstLight, another quilt was designed and created the honour the occasion. 26 families contributed a square to this second quilt.
The third and second FirstLight Memory Patch Quilts now hang safely in the FirstLight head office in Carmichael, Ireland. We welcome all to visit and see the finished product in person. The quilts are available for viewing by appointment Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm.
If you would like to arrange an appointment to view the Memory Patch Quilts, please contact Andrew Mernagh on 01-8732711 or email [email protected].
- Dated: Feb 02
