- In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Gay Project, artist Billy Lingwood partnered with a group of creative community members at the Gay Project in responding to this occasion with a co-creative art project inspired by the Irish Names AIDS Memorial Quilt. The result is a community made piece that tells the story of 40 years of LGBTI+ rights activism in Cork.

- The Irish Names Quilt was created in honour and remembrance of those who died in Ireland from AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. Quilts made by the project were inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded in San Francisco in June 1987 by the gay rights activist Cleve Jones. The Irish Names Project was initiated in 1990 by Mary Shannon (1947-2020), a leading member of the Quilt Group, which is one of the longest running community groups in Dublin.

'Quilting the Rainbow' is supported through Cork City Council by the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-government five-year initiative, from 2023 to 2027, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. Further information from creativeireland.gov.ie.

Many thanks to the HSE Cork South Community Work Department for their support and funding to bring the Irish Names Quilts to Cork for the exhibition.