One of Lisburn’s most loved buildings, Hilden School, today has been officially reopened by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council following a £2 million restoration project in partnership with the Resurgam Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Originally opened in 1912 to serve the children of Hilden Mill workers, the school closed in 2008. The […]
Hilden School Reopens with new Museum Display Read More »
🧵Freelance Community Engagement Facilitator (Going Places Project) Lisburn Museum & Irish Linen Centre is excited to share a new opportunity as part of the Communities of Making network under the Going Places programme. 📍 About the Role We are seeking a Freelance Community Engagement Facilitator to support the delivery of the Going Places programme at
Opportunity: Freelance Community Engagement Facilitator Read More »
Mr Michael Thomas, during a recent visit to the museum, gifted a portrait of his relative to the collection. Councillor Tim Mitchell, Communities and Wellbeing Chairman, kindly accepted this portrait of James Corry (1772-1848). As Secretary of the Irish Linen Board, Corry visited Lisburn in 1816 and toured William Coulson & Sons damask manufactory on
Important donation of a portrait of James Corry (1772-1848) to the museum Read More »
🧵 Job Opportunity: Network Coordinator (Going Places Project) Lisburn Museum & Irish Linen Centre, in partnership with Carmarthenshire Museum and High Life Highland, is excited to share a new opportunity as part of the Communities of Making network under the Going Places programme. 📍 About the Role We are seeking a Network Coordinator to support
Job Opportunity: Network Coordinator (Going Places), based in Wales Read More »
Our flax flower design on the loom!
Flax flower design on the loom Read More »
Ciaran Toal, handloom weavers Donna Campbell and Alison McNamee, with Fabrice Watermet of Linifico. It was fantastic to have linen yarn expert Fabrice Watremet, from certified Masters of Linen Linificio visit the Weaving Workshop on 23 October 2025 to discuss weaving, linen and flax supply in Europe. We were delighted that Fabrice could share his
A visit from Europe’s largest linen yarn supplier Read More »
An extract from a BBC article on the Weaving Workshop, available here. Alison McNamee is one of the world’s last master damask weavers. She weaves on a mid-19th century Jacquard handloom at the Irish Linen Centre in Lisburn, County Antrim. The Jacquard handloom was invented in 1801 and its automated punch-card system was a precursor
The last of the linen damask master weavers Read More »
The museum’s weavers were delighted to be featured in a new article from the prestigious House & Garden magazine. The feature celebrates the artistry and dedication of craftspeople across the UK and Ireland, spotlighting individuals who are reviving traditional techniques and redefining modern craft. These makers are producing beautiful objects and preserving cultural heritage. Among
House & Garden Magazine feature on the Weaving Workshop Read More »
A handloom weaver from the museum has been shortlisted in the prestigious UK Presidents’ Award for Endangered Crafts organised by the Heritage Crafts. Donna Campbell is one of only three craftspeople to have been shortlisted for the UK award which was created to help secure the survival of endangered and critically endangered crafts. The President’s
Weaving Workshop nominated for Heritage Craft Association President’s Award Read More »
In conjunction with the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project, this summer we’re hosting four fantastic events to mark Pride Season. Discover the rich history of the LGBTQIA+ through our workshops exploring quilting, badge making, flag and a preview of a new documentary ‘We were always here’. For details and booking info, follow the links below: History of
Free Workshops: LGBTQIA+ History this August Read More »
Moira Demesne Community Archaeology – June 2025 In summer 2018 the hot weather revealed the possible remains of Moira Castle. The following year, the museum partnered with the Centre for Community Archaeology (CCA) at Queen’s University Belfast to conduct a geophysical survey of the site. The results were promising, and in summer 2019 a two-week
Moira Demesne Community Archaeology Project 2025 Read More »
Enjoy the Lisburn Museum podcast on the go, follow the link and listen on Youtube, Spotify or your Podcast app! Alternatively, listen below:
The Lisburn Museum Podcast: stay up to date! Read More »
Smithfield has been a market-trading location in Lisburn as far back as the 1830s. East of the site was the Brown Linen Market, constructed by Lord Hertford in the 1750s, and on the west of the site, a Grain Market facing the Dublin Road had been built in 1828. It was later known as the
Photo: The Grain Market at Smithfield Read More »
Launch of New Exhibition Marks 400 Years of Lisburn Cathedral A new exhibition which explores the history of Lisburn Cathedral has opened at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. ‘Lisburn Cathedral: 400 years’ is open to the public Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-5.00pm and entry is free. Showcasing documents, photographs and original artefacts from the
Launch of New Exhibition Marks 400 Years of Lisburn Cathedral Read More »
Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating and mysterious civilizations in history. Its rich culture has captured the imagination of people for centuries. This talk will explore the many wonders of ancient Egypt, from its towering pyramids and temples to pharaohs and its complex pantheon of gods. We will begin by discussing the geography
In this conversation, we chat with Prof Eileen Murphy of Queen’s University Belfast. Eileen shares details of her work on Belfast’s famous Mummy, Takabuti! Who was Takabuti? What are Lisburn’s links to Takabuti? What are the ethical issues of displaying human remains? And why we should remember Takabuti as an individual.. For more information visit
Podcast: A conversation with Prof Eileen Murphy on the Belfast Mummy, Takabuti Read More »
In this conversation, we chat with Dr Ken Griffin of the Egypt Centre, Swansea. Ken shares his career history, his work as a curator on a large collection, and his thoughts on the hot topics in Egyptology: repatriation, human remains and the racism of tv’s Ancient Aliens!
Podcast: A conversation with Dr Ken Griffin of the Egypt Centre, Swansea Read More »
Woolworths in Lisburn opened in 1928 on Bow Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. Expanding following a major refurbishment in 1966, the store was badly damaged in a bomb blast in 1976. Woolies, as it was known, attracted a cult following of Saturday shoppers who browsed the shelves weekly and spent their hard-earned cash on the
The staff of Woolworths, Lisburn Read More »
BBC’s hugely popular Antiques Roadtrip features antiques experts as they tour the UK searching for treasures, competing with each other to make money at auction. The show recently visited the museum where the presenter, Phil Serrell, learned about the history of Irish linen, and tried his hand at weaving on one of our looms! Follow
Watch: BBC’s Antiques Roadtrip visits the Museum Read More »
We are interested in piecing together the story of McKeown Street, Lisburn. What are your memories of the street? Did you live here? Where did the street get its name? Let us know! Please get in touch.
McKeown Street Lisburn – what are your memories? Read More »
Winter Talks Programme 2023 The museum is pleased to announce our Winter Talks programme for 2023. Running from 31st January through to 7th March, this year’s programme brings together noted speakers from our history and heritage sectors including Professor Crawford Gribben, journalist Ronan McGreevy, Dr Laura Patrick, historian J.A.K. Dean, and Professor Peter Gray.
Winter Talks Programme 2023 Read More »
Emma with out 160-year old loom! On 1 September 2022 Emma, our Assistant Education Officer, contributed to BBC’s Six Music The 6 Museum, where she explored the history of damask weaving, and its role in the early history of computers! In telling the story of Lisburn and its importance to the Irish linen industry Emma
Our contribution to the The BBC Six Music Museum! Read More »
Sir George Rawdon has returned to Lisburn for first time in over 350 years Three portraits of the Rawdon family are now on display at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum. It has been over 350 years since the portrait of Sir George Rawdon has been seen by the public. It is part of
Sir George Rawdon has returned to Lisburn for first time in over 350 years Read More »
In October 2021 the museum hosted a free online talk, titled ‘The killing of Sir Henry Wilson: an Irish Tragedy’, with Professor Fearghal McGarry, Professor of Modern Irish History at Queen’s University Belfast. Professor McGarry discussed the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, chief security advisor to the new Northern Ireland government, on 22
The Killing of Sir Henry Wilson: an Irish Tragedy by Prof Fearghal McGarry Read More »
A new guide exploring the history of Hilden War Memorial was recently launched by the Mayor, Alderman Stephen Martin. The leaflet weaves together research, photographs, text and stories of the lives of the men who feature on the memorial. It also provides a colourful and accessible history of the monument. Free copies of the guide
New guide to Hilden War Memorial published by Lisburn Museum Read More »
A partnership project with the Northern Ireland Museums Council and the Irish Museums Association, funded by the Irish Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media In 2020, the IMA secured funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to support the Interpreting Museums project creatively linking museums in Northern Ireland with
Object: a photograph of Bridge Street, 2000 Do you remember the Millennium? What were you doing as we moved from 1999 into the year 2000? Were you worrying about the Millennium bug? Were you at a party, or watching scenes from the Millennium Dome live on TV? Here’s a photograph of the top of Market
Object: a photograph of Bridge Street, 2000 Read More »
Object: Irene MacWilliam’s amazing Irish Linen Wall Hanging LMILC.1997.103 Irene McWilliam is one of the foremost quilters and embroiders. She was awarded a BEM for services to textile art in 2019, and has won numerous awards for her work. In 2021 she won RSPB NI’s artist of the year! Irene has exhibited her work in
Object: Irene MacWilliam’s amazing Irish Linen Wall Hanging Read More »
Call for local veterans: Join Lisburn Museum’s Force for Change Veterans’ Project Lisburn Museum is calling for local veterans to join its Force for Change Veterans’ Project aimed at giving voice to veterans and their families. The Museum has received funding of £20,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to create bespoke programmes with
Call for local veterans: Join Lisburn Museum’s Force for Change Veterans’ Project Read More »
Photo: Main Street, Hillsborough, 1924 Do you recognise this view? This 1924-postcard from the Alan Coon photography studio. As the Dictionary of Ulster Biography notes: Alan Daniel Coon (1867-1938) was born in Buffalo, New York and was Attorney-at-Law in the United States. In 1902 he came to Ulster and opened a photographic studio in Derry
Photo: Main Street, Hillsborough, 1924 Read More »
In 2021 the museum partnered with NI Science Festival to produce a short video on the history of Hilden Mill. The film is one of three in a series documenting the past, present and future of the linen industry in Northern Ireland. View the full playlist here, with great contributions from Dr Anthony
Video: Barbour’s Mill, Hilden, Lisburn Read More »
Photo: McKeown’s Bread Vans, Lisburn Do you remember the James McKeown & Co. Bakery? The bakery opened in Sloan Street the 1850s, and served the people of Lisburn until its closure in the late 1980s. Read more about the bakery’s history here. The Bakery also had premises in Seymour Street.
Photo: McKeown’s Bread Vans, Lisburn Read More »
Video: Dr Patricia Marsh – “The doctors are being run off their feet”: Spanish Flu in Lisburn Dr Patricia Marsh is a medical historian and expert on the history of the Spanish Flu in Ireland and Ulster. Dr Marsh has spoken widely on the flu pandemic, including at Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, Ireland. In this
Photo: Preparing Rooms at Stewarts’ Mill Photo of the Preparing Room at Robert Stewart & Sons Ltd, Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
Photo: Preparing Rooms at Stewarts’ Mill Read More »
Video: Dr Alan Parkinson – The Northern Troubles 1920-22 In this talk Dr Alan Parkinson, author of Belfast’s Unholy War (2004) will examine the troubles in Ulster in the 1920s, from Belfast, Derry and Lisburn, and the violent context that surrounded the birth of Northern Ireland (1921). Alan Parkinson is a former university history lecturer/teacher-trainer.
Video: Dr Alan Parkinson – The Northern Troubles 1920-22 Read More »
Photo: The machinery falls quiet at Barbour Threads, Lisburn, 2006
Photo: The machinery falls quiet at Barbour Threads, Lisburn, 2006 Read More »
Photo: building the new civic centre, Lisburn
Photo: building the new civic centre, Lisburn Read More »
Video: Cormac Moore- The day-to-day effects of Partition in Ireland Dr Cormac Moore is Historian-in-Residence with Dublin City Council, and author of a number of books including The Irish Soccer Split (2015) and The Birth of the Border (2019). In this talk Cormac will explore the impact of partition, from law to sport, agriculture to
Video: Cormac Moore – The day-to-day effects of Partition in Ireland Read More »
Photo: Convent, Seymour Street
Photo: Convent, Seymour Street Read More »
Advert: Barbour Threads, c.2000 Did you work there? What are your memories? Did you use their products?
Advert: Barbour Threads, c.2000 Read More »
Photo: Top Hall Ballroom, Lisburn Share your stories of the Top Hat Ballroom with us! Who did you see? Do you have any photos? Share them us!
Photo: Top Hall Ballroom, Lisburn Read More »
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum! Credit: James Lyttle, Lisburn
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Read More »
Photo: Christmas time in Market Square, c. 1960s-70s?
Photo: Christmas time in Market Square, c. 1960s-70s? Read More »
Photo: Market Square and the Nicholson Statue in the Snow, c.1963 Photo: Market Square in the Snow, 1963
Photo: Market Square in the Snow, c.1963 Read More »
