memorial quilts

Power Of Patchwork

Offering a deeply personal way to reflect on the human impact of conflict, a serious of individual patches are brought together to make up eight memorial quilts. Each patch has been carefully designed to represent a person through details of their life, family roles, interests, work, hobbies or passions. In this way, the quilts encourage us to look beyond labels or affiliations and to consider the individual lives affected by violence.

Stories Shared

Many families whose loved ones are represented have also shared their personal testimonies. Their stories speak to the lasting human impact of violence and the enduring effects of loss on those left behind.

Alberta Quinton (72) 

Alberta was killed in the Enniskillen Poppy Day bombing on 8 November 1987. A full-time nursing sister and mother of four, she was widely known in County Fermanagh as “Sister Quinton.” Active in Garvary Church, she later enjoyed bowls. During World War II, she served as an RAF nurse in North Africa, Yugoslavia and Italy. Her daughter Aileen recalled their last conversation about preparing for Remembrance Sunday. Alberta was speaking with Kit and Jessie Johnston, who were also killed, when the bomb exploded.

She is commemorated on SEFF’s Your Legacy Lives On quilt, featuring Garvary Church (drawn by her son Ian) and RAF wings symbolising her faith, family, nursing and war service.

Thomas (Tommy) Irwin 

Tommy was murdered on 26 March 1986 by the Provisional IRA. A part‑time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, he was killed while carrying out his civilian work at Mountfield sewerage works.

Despite known threats, Tommy refused to live in fear. The loss deeply affected his family, who had already suffered the murder of another brother.

He is commemorated on SEFF’s Your Legacy Lives On quilt, which reflects the family’s response to violence through faith rather than revenge, echoing the words of Romans 12:19:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Patrick Morrissey (49)

Sergeant Patrick Morrissey was born in 1936 in Belturbet, Co. Cavan. He served in the National Army before joining An Garda Síochána in 1960, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1974.

On 27 June 1985, he was murdered while courageously pursuing armed robbers following a raid in Ardee, Co. Louth. Acting alone and on foot, he was fatally shot at close range while attempting to stop the attackers.

He was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal in 1986, and in 2013 became the first person to receive the Freedom of Drogheda. 

The images on his commemorative patch on SEFF’s Terrorism Knows No Borders quilt reflect the role Patrick played in the development of the Garda Sub‑Aqua Unit and his role in establishing the Garda Male Voice Choir. He was married with four children.

Patrick (Paddy) Kelly (36)

Paddy was murdered on 16 December 1983 by the Provisional IRA, alongside Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan, during the search and rescue of kidnapped businessman Don Tidey in Derrada Wood, Co. Leitrim.  Those involved in his murder were Maze Prison escapees. 

A native of Ballinamuck, Co. Longford, Paddy served with the Irish Defence Forces, completing four UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Cyprus. Known as a devoted family man with four young sons, he was known for his sense of humour and love of country music.

He was posthumously awarded the Military Star in 2012 by the Minister for Justice. “He died as he lived, working for peace” reflected Bishop Colm O’Reilly.  

His patch on the SEFF's Terrorism Knows No Borders Memorial Quilt features a man repairing a car, reflecting the quiet interests of a life lost while working for peace.

Heather Kerrigan (20)

Heather was murdered on 14 July 1984 during a UDR CGC foot patrol on the Corgary Road near Castlederg, when a landmine planted by the Provisional IRA exploded. Her colleague Norman McKinley was killed instantly, and Heather’s brother David was seriously injured in the attack.

She came from a large family of eight with one sister and six brothers raised close to the Donegal border and balanced her service in the UDR CGC with part‑time work in a local bar. 

Heather was a member of the Woman's Orange Lodge in Castlederg, which is depicted on SEFF’s memorial quilt Through Remembering, We Build Bridges. A greenfinch also appears to represent her role in the UDR CGC, a term used to describe serving female soldiers.

Edward O'Neill

Edward was a civilian murdered on 17 May 1974 when three bombs exploded in Dublin city centre in an attack carried out by the UVF. He was one of 34 people killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, for which no one has ever been held accountable.

A self‑employed painter and decorator and father of eight, Edward was in the city with his two young sons at the time of the attack. His son Edward Jnr was seriously injured and continues to live with the physical and psychological effects, while his brother was also deeply traumatised. Edward’s wife later suffered the loss of a full‑term stillborn baby.

Edward O’Neill Snr is remembered on SEFF’s Memorial Quilt, Terrorism Knows No Borders, which honours civilians and families whose lives were forever changed by acts of terrorism.

Patrick Azimkar (21) and Mark Quinsey (24)

Sappers Patrick, from London, and Mark, from Birmingham, were murdered on 7 March 2009 outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim town by Dissident IRA terrorists. Both were off‑duty soldiers with the 38 Engineer Regiment.

Patrick joined the Royal Engineers at 18, training in carpentry and joinery and following in his father’s footsteps. This is reflected in his patch. He was known as energetic, sociable, and a talented footballer. Mark enlisted at 19 and qualified as an electrician at the Royal School of Military Engineering. He enjoyed fishing, staying fit, and spending time with his family.

The pair were shot dead in a terrible and brutal attack while collecting a pizza delivery at the barracks gates. Patrick and Mark are remembered on SEFF’s Memorial Quilt, Terrorism Knows No Borders, created in partnership with their families to honour lives lost to terrorism.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Young (20)

Jeff died on 21 July 1982 from injuries sustained in the Hyde Park bombing, carried out by the Provisional IRA. 

Originally from the Welsh mining village of Tonyrefail, Jeff joined the Blues & Royals Household Cavalry, combining his military service with a lifelong love of horses, which is reflected in his patch on the SEFF’s Terrorism Knows No Borders Memorial Quilt.

He was critically injured on 20 July 1982, his birthday, when a bomb exploded as mounted soldiers rode through Hyde Park en route to duties in Whitehall. Three of his comrades were killed instantly, and Jeff died the following morning despite emergency surgery. 

Jeff was married with two young daughters. In a later civil court judgement, John Downey was found responsible for the attack. Jeff is remembered alongside Tpr Simon Tipper, SC Roy Bright, and Lt Anthony Daly, who also lost their lives.

James (Jimmy) Graham (39)

Jimmy, a member of the UDR CGC, was murdered on 1 February 1985 by the Provisional IRA while off duty. He was shot in Derrylin while collecting schoolchildren for a trip to swimming lessons at the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen.

Jimmy left behind his wife Lily and children Sharon and Thomas. He was one of three Graham brothers murdered in IRA attacks; his brothers Cecil and Ronnie were killed previously. The family had also endured the earlier loss of sister Hilary, a UDR CGC Greenfinch soldier, who died after being struck at an Army checkpoint.

Despite this profound loss, Jimmy’s son Thomas later joined the UDR/R IRISH. The Graham family’s story reflects resilience and refusal to be broken by terrorism, a legacy remembered with deep respect.

He is commemorated on SEFF’s Your Legacy Lives On quilt.

Geraldine O’Reilly (15) and Patrick Stanley (16)

Geraldine, from Belturbet, Co. Cavan, and Patrick, from Clara, Co. Offaly, were murdered on 28 December 1972 in the Belturbet bomb attack carried out by the UVF.

Geraldine was on her Christmas school holidays and waiting in a local chip shop when a car bomb exploded nearby. Patrick, who worked part‑time on a bottled gas delivery lorry, was making a phone call close to the blast. Both suffered fatal injuries. Widespread damage was caused to homes, vehicles, and businesses throughout the town.

Geraldine, the youngest of eight, dreamed of becoming a teacher and loved Irish dancing. Patrick was the eldest of ten children and was deeply involved in his local GAA club, with a strong passion for Gaelic football and hurling. These interests are reflected on the SEFF’s Terrorism Knows No Borders Memorial Quilt.

A memorial monument was erected at the site of the bombing in 2007. 

Robin Bell (21)

Robin was murdered on 22 October 1972 in an attack carried out by the Provisional IRA.

He grew up on the family farm near the Fermanagh–Monaghan border. After attending agricultural college in Strabane, he returned home to farm. Having previously served in the ‘B’ Specials, he joined the Ulster Defence Regiment part-time when it was formed in 1970.

Robin was travelling with his father and brother when their car was ambushed close to their home. Sustained gunfire killed Robin and seriously injured his father. His brother Richard, also a UDR member, survived the attack.

Robin was a Boy Scout leader in Newtownbutler and deeply involved in his local church community. His patch on the SEFF’s Your Legacy Lives On quilt panel features a Friesian cow and a digger, symbolising his love of farming and the work he carried out to support his family and neighbours. 

William Heenan (51) 

William was murdered on 3 May 1985 in Legananny, Co. Down, by the Provisional IRA. Born in 1933 and raised at the foot of Slieve Croob, he worked in manual trades before joining the DOE Roads Service. He had previously served with the Ulster Special Constabulary until its disbandment in 1970.

William married Eva Perry in 1971, and their son Sammy was born the following year. After the sudden deaths of his mother and wife within a short period, William devoted himself to raising his son alone while continuing to work.

A foundation member of the Legananny Accordion Band and active in the Loyal Orders, William was deeply rooted in his local community. He was shot dead outside his home while preparing for work. His 12‑year‑old son discovered his body shortly afterwards.

The South Down command of the Provisional IRA claimed responsibility stating their victim was in the RUC GC Reserve. His son was then brought up by his father’s cousins and to this day is active within the Loyal Orders and Legananny Accordion Band. He plays his part within the innocent victims’ fraternity in ensuring that the truth of the past is properly conveyed to future generations.

William is remembered not only for the manner of his death, but for his resilience, community spirit, and dedication to family. His patch on the SEFF’s Your Legacy Lives On quilt reflects his involvement in the Legananny Accordion Band.