Virtual Museum

Lisburn’s Dennis Light Four Fire Engine, which was sent to Belfast to assist with putting out the fires of the Blitz (LMILC.1996.64, purchase) The Belfast Blitz was a series of four devastating German air raids that took place between 7 April and 6 May 1941 during the Second World War. Many thought Belfast was beyond […]

Treen, Mauchline ware egg, c.1880 (LMILC.2022.5, purchase) Named after a town in Scotland where they were mostly made, Mauchline ware was highly collectible. They were generally functional items like needle cases, thimble cases, snuff boxes, match holders, and rulers. Typically, they were bought as souvenirs and depicted a local landmark. In this case, our Mauchline

This poster is for the Hillsborough Theatre Royal. It was an amateur theatre group based in the village of Hillsborough in the mid-nineteenth century. On 28 December 1849, they performed in Hillsborough Castle, the home of Lord and Lady Downshire. This is a report of the event: Another grand entertainment was given at Hillsborough Castle

Postcard, Lisburn, c.1950s (LMILC.2023.093, given by Margaret Hanthorne)

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. The Barbours of Lisburn are locally famous for underpinning the region’s linen thread industry and exporting it to Paterson, New Jersey. The manager of the Paterson mill, Robert K. Barbour (1825-1892), was born in Lisburn but lived most of

      Hugh McCall, The cotton famine of 1862-’63 (Belfast, 1881) – ILC&LM Collection The cotton famine of the early 1860s was devastating for the weavers of Lisburn and the surrounding area. In this rare book, the Lisburn journalist and historian, Hugh McCall (1805-97), who acted as secretary to the Lisburn Relief Committee, told

Well Lane, Lisburn, 1975 (ILC&LM Collection) ‘Well Lane’ was located off Hancock Street and looked towards the old quay on the Lagan. Almost 50 people lived on the lane in 1911, many of whom worked in the Island Mill which was nearby. By the 1970s, Well Lane had become run down. It was demolished in

‘The County Down’, Lisburn, 1961 (ILC&LM Collection) Are you from ‘The County Down’? People who live on the east side of the Union Bridge often use this expression, instead of saying they are from Lisburn. It is accurate of course, for the River Lagan divides the city between two counties. Local photographer, W.J. McCartney, captured

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Francis Rawdon-Hastings (1754–1826), 1st Marquess of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira, was born at his father’s estate in Moira, County Down, in 1754 where he spent much of his childhood. He would go on to live a very

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Civil War General, St Clair Mulholland (1839-1910) was born in Lisburn to canal-barge owning father, Henry Mulholland (1796-1856), and merchant’s daughter, Georgina Hester Agnes Sinclaire (b.1803). His family emigrated to Philadelphia in 1850 where St Clair found a talent

Holocaust Memorial Day is held on 27 January. First marked in the UK in 2001, it allows people to remember the millions murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides that followed in other places, such as Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The Lisburn area, like many other parts of Northern Ireland,

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Born in Lisburn in 1839, Civil War General, St Clair Mulholland (1839-1910), would go on to become a celebrated veteran, author, and even an accomplished painter. He was part of a very large family. The oldest of his father’s

Bridge Street has been one of Lisburn’s most important areas going right back to its earliest times. The street’s close proximity to the Lagan was vital in its development, including the growth of the gasworks, covered in an earlier Virtual Museum post. Besides functioning as the town’s engine room, Bridge Street also produced a number

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Lisburn-born Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-1876) rose to fame and fortune as the ‘Merchant Prince of Broadway’ after opening one of the world’s first department stores in New York and then opening an even bigger one down the street. From

This blog is by Josie Darkins, an intern studying MA Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Did you know that a Lisburn man almost sued the wife of an American President? Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-76) was born at Lissue, near Lisburn, but had made it big in New York, opening one of the world’s first

Frederick Douglass (1818-95) was born into American slavery but escaped to tell his story and became a leader of the abolitionist movement. Did you know that the most photographed American man of the 19th century visited Lisburn? Lisburn had its own small, but committed anti-slavery movement active from the late 1700s. Douglass spoke in 1st

Selection of toy Wombles, by Anna Cheyne, c. 1970s (LMILC.2020.99, given by Alasdair Spence) Do you remember ‘The Wombles’? Wouldn’t these toys have been a delight to find under the tree on Christmas morning? These Wombles were handmade by Lisburn artist, Anna Cheyne (1926-2002), and sold by her at a fundraiser in the 1970s. Cheyne

Santa Claus has a long-standing association with Lisburn. He has visited for many decades to ask the children if they have been doing their best all year, to receive their letters, and to hear what they would like for Christmas. Of course, he also makes an important stop on Christmas Eve to deliver presents! In

A.T. Stewart, c.1876 (ILC&LM Collection) The department store is something that we take for granted, whether it be part of our weekly shop or at special occasions like Christmas. Did you know that the development of this type of store was due in part to the ingenuity of a native of Lisburn? Alexander Turney Stewart

Christmas cards, Ulster Home Guard, c.1944 (LMILC.2008.74-5, given by Lorna Carson) Initially called Local Defence Volunteers, the Ulster Home Guard was formed in 1940 amid growing fears of a German invasion of Ireland. Many members were too old to join the regular forces, hence the nickname ‘Dad’s Army’. When the threat of German invasion had

Christmas is almost upon us, and we hope that your tree is looking a little more festive than this one from our photographic collection! Antrim Street, Lisburn, c. 1960s (ILC&LM Collection).

Market Square, Lisburn, 1994 (ILC&LM Collection)

Castle Street, Lisburn, c.1993 (ILC&LM Collection). Note Montgomery’s shops on the left. Montgomery’s of Castle Street – chippy, sweet shop, and ice cream parlour – was an ‘institution’ of Lisburn, being in business for over 70 years. This family business was established by Charles Montgomery (d.1941). A native of Lisburn, Charles served in the First

Castle Street, Lisburn, 1980s (ILC&LM Collection)

Field Marshal Montgomery (‘Monty’) at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, 13 September 1945 (ILC&LM Collection) On 13 September 1945, Field Marshal Montgomery, the most famous British general of the Second World War, visited Lisburn. Here, he addresses soldiers at Thiepval Barracks who are about to be demobilised following the end of the world’s deadliest conflict. ‘Monty’, as

Mary and Tom Kennedy with ‘Shandy’, Dublin, 1944 (LMILC.2024.390.12, given by Gail Sproule) Mary and Tom Kennedy were from Lisburn and children of Joseph Kennedy, a former editor of the Lisburn Standard. In this photo, they are walking through the streets of Dublin in August 1944 with their dog, ‘Shandy’. They had attended Monkstown Dog

Railway Street, Lisburn, 1993 (ILC&LM Collection, given by John Press)

Label, Stewart’s golf thread, c.1925 (LMILC.2025.317, gift) Back when golfers used clubs with a wooden shaft, waxed linen thread was widely used for ‘whipping’. This process strengthened and improved the appearance of the clubs. Lisburn firms like Robert Stewart & Sons Ltd (where Bow Street Mall now stands) were one of the most popular suppliers

Embroidered Irish linen frock, 1940s (LMILC.2005.110, given by Nonagh Boyd) This dress was purchased with coupons in London after the Second World War. Although clothes rationing still required coupons and the availability of fabric was limited, the style and colour of the frock indicate a sense of style and freshness that had been subdued in

Postcard, Tennis in Wallace Park, Lisburn, 1905 (LMILC.2023.115, given by Margaret Hanthorne) Lisburn’s Wallace Park was the setting for many a tennis match hosted by the Lisburn Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club. One such tournament was held in September 1885. The finalists were E. J. Charley of Seymour Hill and John Preston, manager of the

Penny-farthing bicycle, c.1885 (LMILC.1987.9, purchased) The penny-farthing was an early type of bicycle that was popular in the late nineteenth century. Its name came from two British coins, the penny being much larger than the farthing. The large wheel enabled the cyclist to travel at higher speeds, but its popularity declined with the development of

Illustration, ‘Potato disease in Ireland: timely measures to check it’, from the Penny Illustrated Paper, 15 November 1890 (LMILC.1996.21, purchased) The Irish Famine of 1845-52, in which 1 million people died from starvation and disease, was caused by the spread of Phytophthora infestans or potato blight. The disease destroyed much of Ireland’s staple food, the potato,

Reconstruction of Moira Demesne, c.1725. Pen and watercolour by Phillip Armstrong. (LMILC.2015.475, purchased) The Rawdon family had an interest in botany and were responsible for creating the garden at Moira. At great expense, Sir Arthur Rawdon (1662-95) employed James Harlow to bring back over 1,000 trees and shrubs from Jamaica. They were planted in his

Beehive skep (LMILC.1992.26, given by Hugh Bass) A ‘skep’ is a traditional, straw-woven basket that is placed open-end-down and used as a beehive. Believed to have been first used in Ireland, the skep provides an enclosure for the bee colony. Because no internal structures are provided for the bees, the honeycomb is cross-attached and cannot

Folk dancing at Ballinderry, 1933 (ILC&LM Collection) The Lambeg Irish Folk Dancing Society was formed in the early twentieth century amid a wider European revival in folk dancing. Members of the Lambeg society travelled around Ulster with Peadar O’Rafferty, a champion dancer, recording the traditional folk dances of the Irish countryside. This event, held at

Point paper, Royal St. George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, by Coulsons of Lisburn, c.1930 (LMILC.2002.338.66, given by Lisburn Historical Society)

‘Boy with rabbit’, watercolour by Samuel McCloy (1831-1904) (LMILC.1997.99.56, given by Barbara Lamb)

Young Street, Lisburn, c.1910 (ILC&LM Collection)

American soldiers, possibly in Lisburn, c. 1943 (LMILC.2024.204.08, gifted by Margaret Tanuvasa) We believe this photo of local women with US soldiers was taken in Lisburn. Can you help us figure out the exact location? The Americans were based in Northern Ireland during the Second World War, with the first soldiers arriving in early 1942.

Postcard, ‘Greetings on St. Patrick’s Day’ (LMILC.1990.135) This postcard features a spinner. Did you know that we have live spinning demonstrations at the museum? You can even try it out yourself!

  WVS uniform, c.1941 (LMILC.1989.81, gifted) Our exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024 included a Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) uniform. It belonged to Maureen Louisa Crothers, who grew up at ‘Homradene’ on Lisburn’s Hillsborough Road, opposite what is now Lagan Valley Hospital. During the Second World War, she played an important part

Postcard, ‘Greetings from the heart of Lisburn’, 1910 (LMILC.2003.95, gifted) The woman who sent this postcard to her ‘valentine’ in Ballynahinch, Mr N. Thompson, wrote on the back: When I was lying in my bed one night, A little thought came in my head. I thought of one, I thought of two, But first of

Willow pattern point paper, by Tommy Donnelly, 1996 (LMILC.2004.389) A point paper is a design made on graph paper, and is one of the processes in making damask linen. This one was made at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum in 1996, and was inspired by a damask design from William Adams & Co.,

ARP cigarette cards, W.D. & H.O. Wills, 1938 (LMILC.1994.122, gifted by Lila Reid) Cigarette cards were a type of trading card, and were highly collectible. These ARP (Air Raid Precautions) cards were a pre-war initiative sanctioned by the government. They were part of a set of 50 which could be placed in an album, with

Lisburn ARP Rescue Squad, Wallace Avenue, c.1944 (ILC&LM Collection) The ARP had several squads that carried out their own specific service. Rescue Squads had an ‘R’ painted on their helmet. They were responsible for removing injured people or dead bodies from bombed premises. This photo may have been taken after a training exercise codenamed ‘Fox’

ARP warden’s helmet, c. 1940 (LMILC.1990.202, gifted) The ARP (Air Raid Precautions) was established before the outbreak of the Second World War to prepare for German bombings. Lisburn Urban District Council was the first local authority in Northern Ireland to develop an ARP scheme. From 1938, volunteers or ‘wardens’ enlisted in the Assembly Rooms (now

Embroidered alphabet and numbers sampler, 1810 (LMILC.2009.96, gifted by Carl and Patricia McHargue) This sampler was found by the donors in 1984 at a church sale in their home city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. After advancements in communication and the internet over 25 years, they contacted the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum in

Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, 1980s (ILC&LM Collection) This was outside a shop called Motor and Sport, which offered a savings and discounts service as part of an ‘Xmas Club’ in the lead-up to Christmas. Bicycles were particularly popular. Several Lisburn businesses had Christmas Clubs around this time. The Ulster Star of 19 September 1980 noted the

Postcard, ‘Christmas Greeting’, Station Square and Court House, Lisburn, 1908 (LMILC.2023.345, gifted by Margaret Hanthorne)

The Christmas tree in Market Square, Lisburn, c.1980s (ILC&LM Collection).

The old terrace at Chapel Hill, c.1950s (ILC&LM Collection, gifted by Lisburn Historical Society) This terrace was located above St. Patrick’s Church, Chapel Hill, Lisburn. It was later demolished to make way for new road developments. At the back of the terrace was ‘Fairymount Square’, where another 15 houses were located. Note the billboard advertising

Thomas E. Dewey, Governor of New York and Republican presidential nominee, admiring Sinton’s tie at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, PA, 1948. (FSL, Past and Present, 1948) Around the time of US presidential elections, there is always a lot of talk about the so-called ‘Electoral College’ in determining the winner. This is the group

Lisburn Standard, 17 October 1924 We often associate Halloween food with pumpkin pie and toffee apples, but did you know that in Lisburn the original Halloween delicacy was barmbrack or ‘brack’? This type of fruit loaf is popular year round. Throughout Ireland, it was traditionally linked to the festivities at the end of October. In

Some of the players at the fundraising cricket match in Wallace Park. Left to right: W. Adams (Lancashire County Cricket Club), George M. Crothers (Lisburn), James L. White (Cheshire County Cricket Club), G. D. Smith (Lisburn captain), and Learie N. Constantine (West Indies). LMILC.2021.235, gifted by John Crothers At our recent exhibition ‘Something Old, Something

‘Lady with cat’, unsigned, McCloy Collection (LMILC.1997.99.15, gifted by the Lamb family) A portrait of a woman and her feline friend, by either Lisburn-born artist Samuel McCloy (1831-1904) or his wife, Ellen Lucy née Harris (1845-1924).

Colourised OS map of Old Warren, 1833, showing the plantations of the 3rd Marquess of Hertford, the landlord at the time (ILC&LM Collection) As you drive into Lisburn from Sprucefield, you will pass through a ‘cut’ in a hill with trees either side of the Hillsborough Road. The old terrace, Warren View, and gentleman’s residence,

Quay Street, Lisburn, including the Lisburn Amateur Boxing clubroom, c. 1950 (ILC&LM Collection) Some people told us that their memories of Bridge Street included walking down to the Lisburn Amateur Boxing clubroom on Quay Street. This photo, taken from Hancock Street, shows the old quay on the River Lagan where ‘lighters’ (barges) dropped off or

Mrs Betty McCrory receiving a gift from the Very Rev. Dr William Boyd, senior minister of 1st Lisburn Presbyterian Church, as a token of appreciation for 25 years of arranging flowers at the church. (Ulster Star, 16 October 1981) After posting about Warren Cottage, some people got in touch to say they attended flower-arranging classes

Bridge Street, c.1970 (ILC&LM Collection) What are your memories? How have things changed? Let us know.

Warren Cottage, Lisburn, c. 1980s (ILC&LM Collection) Warren Cottage was located opposite Warren View terrace on the Hillsborough Road, Lisburn. It was named after the townland in which it was located – Old Warren. Dating back to around 1800 and usually termed a ‘gentleman’s residence’, the property was described in the late 1960s as a:

Railway Street from North Circular Road, 1969 (Lisburn Historical Society Collection, ILC&LM) What are your memories of getting the train in Lisburn? Let us know.

Postcard of ‘The Longstone, Lisburn’, 1906 (LMILC.2023.145, gifted by Margaret Hanthorne) The Longstone area of Lisburn gets its name from a large standing stone or boulder which was once nearby. It was removed in the mid-nineteenth century. Have you any stories about the Longstone area? Contact us.

The armorial bearings of Sir Richard Wallace (LMILC.1990.220, purchased 1990)   The coat of arms of Lisburn’s landlord from 1870-90, Sir Richard Wallace, features a strange-looking creature! Despite its appearance, it is an ostrich. It has a horseshoe in its beak, possibly because it is a symbol of good luck or legend says that ostriches’

Some members of the Women’s Auxiliary Services in Warren Gardens, Lisburn, 1941 (ILC&LM Collection). The full list of names from left to right are: Miss Scott, Dr May Quinn (WVS), R. Gibson (Air Raid Precuations), unknown member of the Red Cross, H. Houghton, Mrs Brown (Red Cross), Mrs Deans (WVS), John D. Barbour (Lisburn Urban

Sgt. David Maginnity (c.1824-64), in the uniform of the old mounted police. By kind permission of Ron Frew. Sgt. David Maginnity (c.1824-64) was an Irish-born member of the New South Wales Police Force in Australia. Although his birthplace is uncertain, the most likely location was the County Down side of Lisburn. Following service in the

Sheep shearing at Annahilt, near Hillsborough, c. 1930s (LMILC.2004.469, purchased 2004) Sheep farmers normally ‘shear’ or ‘clip’ the wool from their sheep in late spring and summer. Though wool was once a valuable natural fibre, shearing is now mainly done for the benefit of the animal’s welfare. In the old days, sheep were clipped with

Lisburn Temperance Silver Band, c. 1926 (ILC&LM Collection, gifted by Lisburn Historical Society) Lisburn Silver Band was formed c. 1900, and in its early years, the band had close links with temperance – a movement that promoted moderation of alcohol consumption, or in some cases total abstinence. Other local temperance bands included Lisburn Rechabite Brass

Private F. Ferris (left) of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, cleaning his Thompson submachine gun during a break in fighting on the Salarola Front, Italy, 29 December 1943 (IWM). The Italian campaign (1943-5) of the Second World War was overshadowed by D-Day and events in Normandy during 1944. However, it was just as deadly and strategically important

Lisburn Leisure Park under construction, 1997 (ILC&LM Collection)

Laganbank Road, Lisburn, late 1980s (ILC&LM Collection)

Prisoners of war in what is believed to be Göttingen POW camp, Germany. Thomas McCormick is seated on the left. (Image courtesy of Mr Tom McCormick) Thank you to everyone who has left their stories of Hilden Mill in the memories box of our recent exhibition. This Virtual Museum post highlights one of the many

  Flax of different dates of sowing, Glenmore, 1927 (ILC&LM Collection) Traditionally, flax was sown in Ireland in early May when all risk of frost had passed and under the perception that warmer weather improved germination. There was sometimes debate about whether this was the best time to sow the seed. In 1842, Cortland G.

Last year, we were delighted to host a 360° video inside our weaving workshop about Thomas Beggs, an Ulster-Scots weaver poet. The episode was presented by Lolly Spence, local historian and tour guide, and was part of a series called ‘The Woven Word’ on Ulster’s rhyming weaver poets. Thomas Beggs was born in 1789, and

W. A. Green, ‘Gorse and fern “to keep the fairies out”, a May Eve custom’ (© the artist’s estate. Image credit: National Museums NI). It is possible that this was the Bell family of Magheragall, near Lisburn, c. 1914. May Eve (30 April) used to be a popular festivity in Lisburn and the surrounding rural districts.

Group of men, Ballinderry, early 1900s (ILC&LM Collection) We know little about this group of men, other than that they were from Ballinderry. What might they have been up to, and can you spot their dog?

  Hans Petticrew’s store, 57 Bow Street, Lisburn, early 1900s (ILC&LM Collection). Could Hans Petticrew be the man standing in the doorway? Petticrew Bros. was not the only Petticrew business on Lisburn’s Bow Street. Born around 1854 near Boardmills between Lisburn and Saintfield, Hans Petticrew had opened a grocery, provision, hardware, and house furnishings store

Piper Hill, Lisburn. Ink and colour wash drawing by Jim Dunlop, c. 1970 (LMILC.2013.211, gifted). Viewed from Hill Street, the artist really captures old Lisburn in this ink and colour wash drawing of Piper Hill or Market Lane before major redevelopment of the area. The open space at the bottom of the hill, where two

Petticrew Bros., 21 Bow Street, Lisburn, c. 1900. The two members of staff are likely the brothers who founded the business, Francis and Robert. (ILC&LM Collection) Petticrew Bros. was opened in November 1893 by Robert Petticrew (b. 1866) and his younger brother, Francis (b. 1868). Originally from Drumra, in Drumbeg parish, the brothers chose Bow

Advertisement for a replica display, at Hanningtons of Brighton, of Old Bleach linens prepared for Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House (Brighton and Hove Herald, 28 March 1925) If you have visited our permanent exhibition, Flax to fabric: the story of Irish linen, you may have been intrigued by the miniature linen items on display in the

Model of the Mary Edson, by Werner Geyer, 2023 (ILC&LM Collection) The following poem was written by William McComb (1793-1873) on 13 July 1863, the date that the Mary Edson departed Belfast for New York. The ship was sent by Lisburn-born American millionaire, A. T. Stewart (1803-76), and on the return leg to the USA

A child and dog on a farm near Annahilt, Hillsborough, c. 1930 (LMILC.2004.469, purchased 2004) This child took the term ‘working’ dog to a whole new level! Although the Border Collie seems content to pull the small cart, we can’t help but think it would rather have been herding sheep, which is what the breed

  Product label, William Barbour & Sons Ltd. (LMILC.1998.44.9, gifted) The symbol of an open, red, left hand was synonymous with William Barbour & Sons Ltd. of Hilden. The trade mark appeared on their products, which included linen thread, twine, and nets, and became associated with quality. It was also incorporated into the many advertisements

Maria Pirrie Gordon (1842-1921). Oil on canvas by Frank McKelvey (1895-1974). LMILC.2010.147. Maria Pirrie Gordon (née Barbour) was like so many women in Irish society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries – we have very little information about her life, and what little we do know is often told through the lives of

  Ulster Star, 22 February 1964 In 1964, a group of Lisburn students organised a ‘Miss Leap Year’ competition in aid of the charity Freedom from Hunger. Unlike other beauty queen titles, entrants for Miss Leap Year submitted their photograph and six finalists had their portrait displayed in a public space. Beneath each picture was a