PHOTOS: Laois craft group going international with invite to exhibit in France

A talented Laois craft group is going international with a new exhibition.

Laois Quilters which attracts members from across the Irish Midlands, has been invited to exhibit at the prestigious International Textile Festival in France. See full story below photo gallery. Tap NEXT or arrows

Eleven members of Laois Quilters will travel to Nantes, France in April to exhibit their work at the internationally acclaimed Pour L’Amour du Fil textile festival. 

The annual festival attracts thousands of visitors and showcases outstanding quilt and textile art from across the world.

A spokesperson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that "the invitation represents a significant milestone for us and a rare opportunity to present Irish quilting on an international stage."

Laois Quilters was founded in 2017 following a survey conducted at a quilt exhibition in Mountmellick Library, which revealed strong interest in forming a regional quilting group. Established by Ethelda Ellis, with Annette Doolan and Caroline Delany, the group has grown to around 50 members drawn from Laois and neighbouring counties.

The group meets monthly at Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, providing a welcoming and supportive environment where members of all skill levels share techniques, develop new skills and build lasting friendships. Workshops led by members and visiting tutors have been supported by funding from the Laois/Offaly Education Training Board. An annual quilting retreat in Fenagh, Co. Leitrim is a highlight of the group’s calendar.

Community engagement is central to Laois Quilters’ ethos. The group regularly creates a collaborative quilt that is raffled in support of local charities, and they hold biennial exhibitions in Mountmellick Library. A key mission of the group is to promote quilts as a form of visual art, reflected in exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops throughout the year. Recent highlights include an exhibition at Quilt Fayre in Belfast in 2024 and a Culture Night display with demonstrations at the Dunamaise Art Centre in Portlaoise in 2025.

The upcoming exhibition in Nantes marks an exciting new chapter for Laois Quilters, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Irish textile artists to an international audience.

New members are always welcome. For further information: Email: laoisquilters@gmail.com Follow them on Facebook: Laois Quilters.