Patel Community Space
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Set in rural Ireland in 1981, An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) follows Cáit, a neglected nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent to live with foster parents for the summer. Under the care of the Kinsellas, she blossoms, but discovers a painful truth in this house of affection

Post film discussion with Ally Nolan (McColl Center Current Artists-In-Residence) and Liam Fitzgerald. Discussion facilitated by World Affairs Council of Charlotte.

Ally Nolan is an Irish textile artist whose practice explores how textiles are shaped by place, community, and cultural identity. Her work brings together hand-made and digital textile techniques to examine the histories embedded in materials and the labour that produces them, with a particular focus on women’s work and craft knowledge that has often gone unrecorded or undervalued.

Rooted in archival research, storytelling, and heritage, Nolan frequently works with historical photographs and materials to better understand the people and communities behind textile traditions. Her practice is informed by rural and coastal contexts, where craft skills are closely tied to working life, social history, and local economies.

Nolan is the 2025 recipient of the RCSI Art Award and has completed residencies in Portugal, Norway, France, and Ireland. These experiences have expanded her research and revealed connections between craft traditions across different cultures. Nolan holds a BA in Fashion Design and Art History from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, and an M.Phil in Irish Art History from Trinity College Dublin.

Liam Fitzgerald: As President of the Irish American Business Alliance of North Carolina, Liam Fitzgerald is dedicated to fostering collaboration and building bridges between Irish and American companies. Through his leadership, the Alliance helps businesses on both sides of the Atlantic explore new commercial opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and navigate the complexities of international markets.

With more than 25 years of experience across a variety of sectors—including hospitality, leisure, commercial real estate, and financial services—Liam brings a wealth of global perspective to his role. Having grown up in Limerick, Ireland, he possesses firsthand knowledge and a genuine appreciation for Irish culture and its influence worldwide.

Liam’s career has taken him to the United Kingdom and the Middle East, providing him with deep insights into diverse business environments and cross-cultural collaboration. Now firmly rooted in Charlotte with his family, he continues to champion meaningful connections between Ireland and the Carolinas, supporting business growth and cultural exchange alike.