The Irish Patchwork Society was founded in 1981 following a meeting of 100 people in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. The idea came about because of the combined enthusiasm of three people drawn together by their interests in textile and patchwork. The Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2006. Today the IPS has approx. 500 members. There are seven branches around the country, each with its own committee. The executive committee has overall responsibility for the Society and each branch is represented on this. 

The society's main aim as set out in the Constitution is to promote the practice of quiltmaking, to foster and communicate between persons interested in traditional and contemporary quiltmaking, to encourage education in and raise and maintain standards of quiltmaking and to research and maintain a typographical and photographic archive.

The main events of the Society are the Annual General Meeting in October, and the national exhibition held every two years. There is also a weekend of workshops with guest speakers held every two years.

The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter in which the members are kept informed about events, exhibitions, committees, branch meetings and artists. Once every two years the Society and the Northern Ireland Guilds jointly hold an exhibition entitled 'Hands Across the Border'.

IR: Mary Hunter
e-mail: hunterm@gofree.indigo.ie

Irish Patchwork Society
P.O. Box 45
Blackrock
Co. Dublin, Ireland

www.irishpatchwork.ie