We’re excited to announce our Lisburn Museum Culture Club programme for autumn/winter 2025. There’s historical talks, storytelling, and live music – taking you from military history to Belfast’s mills, St. Patrick to Christmas!
Based on visitor feedback, we’ve moved our events to Saturday afternoons to make them more accessible for those who can’t attend on a weekday.
The events are free and in person, and take place in the museum’s historic Assembly Room. Doors open at 1:45pm for tea and coffee on arrival, and talks start promptly at 2pm. Please note there is no allocated seating for these events.
Booking is advised to ensure your place, and you can do so by clicking the button below. Alternatively, you can call museum reception on 028 9266 3377 to make your booking.
We look forward to seeing you at Culture Club!
Saturday 6 September 2025 @ 2pm – ‘The history of the 11th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment’, by Richard Edgar
The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) was a locally recruited British Army regiment in Northern Ireland from 1970 to 1992, tasked with internal security duties during ‘The Troubles’. Lisburn was the headquarters of the regiment and raised a company for the 11th Battalion. At its peak, the UDR was the British Army’s largest infantry unit.
Richard Edgar is a local historian.
Note that this event replaces ‘History of ancient Ulster until the Plantation’, by Rab Williamson. We hope to reschedule it for another time. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Saturday 4 October 2025 @ 2pm – ‘Old Belfast and stories from the mills’, by Sharon Dickson
A storytelling session that brings to life the realities of working in the linen mills of Belfast.
Sharon Dickson is a storyteller for the Armstrong Storytelling Trust, a registered charity set up to promote the art of storytelling.
Saturday 1 November 2025 @ 2pm – ‘”The real Patrick”: the fuller story versus the myth’, by Deirdre Speer-Whyte
This talk examines the life of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, and considers some of the misconceptions that have developed about him.
Deirdre Speer-Whyte is the Development Officer for the Ulster Scots Community Network.
Saturday 6 December 2025 @ 2pm – Christmas Concert
Get into the festive spirit with our live Christmas music event at the museum. This is a rare opportunity to hear the museum’s historic Egan Harp, played by internationally-renowned harpist, Clíona Doris. Following her performance, we will be joined by young soprano, Phoebe Gooding, who will sing a selection of festive songs.