Athlone Castle will host the opening of ‘A Tribute to Innocents’, a Memorial Quilts exhibition in collaboration with the South East Fermanagh Foundation on Tuesday, October 10, at 6pm.
The exhibition will continue until October 24 and will be part of general visitor admissions.
The South East Fermanagh Foundation is committed to supporting victim survivors of 'The Troubles' across the Republic of Ireland and have done so for several years, and many of these families are represented on the ‘Terrorism knows NO Borders’ quilt which includes; Irish Army, Garda and Prison Service personnel, as well as civilian victims of all forms of violence.
"We are pleased that Athlone Castle have agreed to work collaboratively with us in facilitating the display of four of our seven Memorial Quilts," SEFF's Director Kenny Donaldson, said.
Across the memorial quilts which will be displayed, innocents are remembered, ordinary yet extraordinary men, women, and children from across the community and who were victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
The key messages of the memorial quilts are - violence was futile and totally unjustified, those remembered are wholly innocent and the legacy of those represented will live on amongst those left behind.
"SEFF's doors are open and welcoming to all innocents, whether victimised by republican or loyalist terrorism or through criminal-based actions committed by members of the security forces. SEFF is not defined by constitutional politics or denominational religion – it’s' our values that unite us, consistent opposition to violence," Mr. Donaldson added.
The quilts were developed by a team of special volunteers within SEFF under the guidance of a project facilitator. The quilts humanise those being remembered who may be said to be ordinary people but who were extraordinary to those who knew them best.
The Quilts which will be displayed are titled, “Your Legacy Lives On”, “A Patchwork of Innocents”, “Terrorism knows No Borders”, and “Lives that Mattered”.
"Each of the Quilt brand titles reflect core messages we wish to represent through the lives being remembered and also honoured. The basis for the quilts can be found in comments made by many families: “No-one remembers us”, “No-one cares”, “We are forgotten”.
"The SEFF Family always remembers and will continue to do so in the months and years ahead, thus ensuring that the legacy of innocents and the way in which they chose to live their lives is represented," Mr. Donaldson continued.
The Terrorism knows No Borders Quilt will be of particular interest to those from the Midlands with individuals remembered including Garda Richard Fallon, Garda Henry Byrne, Garda John Morley, and Pte Patrick Kelly - all of whom have connections to the area. Also remembered on this quilt are the innocents of Dublin-Monaghan and Belturbet, bombings.
A warm invitation is extended to individuals and groups including schools, from across the Irish Midlands and beyond to visit the Exhibition. Athlone Castle will display the temporary exhibition “A Tribute to Innocents” from Tuesday, October 10 until Tuesday, October 24 in the lower Keep.
Normal admission rates apply. For further information on the exhibition contact Athlone Castle on Tel: 090 6442130.
