Members of the Erne Quilters. Seated: Margaret Wall and Marilyn Farrell. Standing: Margaret Brogan, Rita Briody, Vera Warrington, Joan Milligan, Winnie Moynagh, Ann Gerety Smyth, Curator of Cavan Museum, Margaret Smith, Kay Kearns, Angela Antoniou, Bridgit Cooney, Elsie Moxham, Chris McEnroe, Ursula Burke, Christine Frawley, Joan O’Reilly, Angela Kent. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.

Book celebrating revolutionary women to launch this weekend

Published: Thu 8 Oct 2026, 12:52 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Oct 2026, 12:53 PM

A book celebrating the story of a commemorative quilt and the women who inspired it will be launched this weekend in Cavan County Museum.

'A Stitch of Time Mná na hÉireann 1916-2016' by Kay Kearns is woven together by three elements; the women featured in the quilt and their achievements, the women who created the quilt and their motivations, and quilting as an art form and the methods employed in producing a lasting legacy or heirloom.

The quilt was crafted by the Erne Quilters - who have been quilting at the museum every week for the past 25 years, to forever remember in fabric the historical significance of three female activists who played prominent roles in shaping the Ireland in which we live today; Agnes O’Farrelly, Constance Markiewicz and Elizabeth O’ Farrell.

Kay's book was authored in the same fashion so that the quilters who remembered the women in fabric would themselves be remembered in paper.

On the day, there will be a display of uniforms, weapons and historical memorabilia by historian Tóla Collier from the National Museum of Ireland.

The launch, which will be opened by Former First Lady of Ireland Sabina Higgins, is taking place this Saturday, October 10 at 2pm in Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff.

To RSVP, call 0498544070 or email info@cavanmuseum.ie. The book is available for €14.95 at www.choicepublishing.ie.