New Reformation Exhibition Opens at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum
The new exhibition entitled ‘Reformation 500: the Reformation in Europe, and its Local Legacy’ was officially opened at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum by Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee.
This free exhibition marks the 500th Anniversary of the beginning of the protestant Reformation, which followed the publication of Martin Luther’s ‘Ninety-five Theses’ in 1517. It is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm.
Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, speaking about the exhibition, said: “The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum is always keen to host exhibitions of key historical events. Our children learn at school about the Reformation in history classes and this exhibition presents how this period affected Lisburn and the surrounding area. The Reformation progressed from Europe into Britain but ultimately at the time failed to gain traction in Ireland.
“There is a wonderful range of artefacts on display in the exhibition, including a rare 1576 edition of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, a copy of the first Bible ever printed in Belfast (1751), as well as unique engravings of key Reformation figures, including Martin Luther. I would encourage residents to come and see this exhibition.”
Highlights of the exhibition include the story of:
- Martin Luther, Henry VIII and the Tudor children
- Early Christianity in Ireland, and the failure of the Irish Reformation
- The Plantation, Cromwell and the Protestant Ascendancy
- The Local Legacies of the Reformation in Lisburn, including Jeremy Taylor, Church of Ireland, Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Quakers, and Moravians.
For more information, visit: https://www.lisburnmuseum.com/Reformation
