Egypt: Land of the Gods, Pharaohs, and Wonderful Things‘ with Dr Ken Griffin, The Egypt Centre
Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating and mysterious civilizations in history. Its rich culture has captured the imagination …
Virtual Museum
Podcast: A conversation with Prof Eileen Murphy on the Belfast Mummy, Takabuti
In this conversation, we chat with Prof Eileen Murphy of Queen’s University Belfast. Eileen shares details of her work on …
Podcast: A conversation with Prof Eileen Murphy on the Belfast Mummy, Takabuti Read More »
The staff of Woolworths, Lisburn
Woolworths in Lisburn opened in 1928 on Bow Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. Expanding following a major refurbishment in 1966, …
The Egyptian Book of the Dead
You may have heard of the ominous sounding Egyptian ‘Book of the Dead’, but do you know what it actually …
Frederick Douglass and Lisburn
In late July 2023 a statue of the famous 19th-century social reformer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass was unveiled in Lombard …
Ireland’s Egyptologist, Rev. Edward Hincks
Did you know that a County Down-based Church of Ireland clergyman had a significant role in our understanding of hieroglyphs? …
Drawing in ancient Egypt
Rectangular drawing and writing boards were important educational tools in ancient Egypt. Made from wood and covered with a thin …
Linen from the tomb of Tutankhamun
Did you know that your local museum has a sample of Tutankhamun’s linen on display? Do you know how it …
Remembering loved ones in ancient Egypt
Worshiping the dead was an important feature of ancient Egyptian society. While pyramids and elaborately decorated tombs were prominent memorials …
An adventuring Lisburn MP, Sir James Emerson Tennent
Author, traveller, and one-time MP for Lisburn, Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804–69) was a prominent early member of the Belfast …
An adventuring Lisburn MP, Sir James Emerson Tennent Read More »
‘Ancient Egypt: Lisburn Stories’: Private Alec Martin at the Pyramids, 1915
Private Alec Martin (1895-1915) was born in Magheragall, near Lisburn. In 1913, seeking new opportunities he emigrated to New Zealand. …
‘Ancient Egypt: Lisburn Stories’: Private Alec Martin at the Pyramids, 1915 Read More »
The Rosetta Stone
One of the most significant archaeological discoveries of modern times was made on July 15, 1799. What is known as …
The Lisburn Cotton Famine and Moby Dick.
What connects today’s Virtual Museum item, a gold watch, and the classic novel Moby Dick? During the devastating ‘cotton famine’ …
Shabti Dolls
Do you know what a Shabti doll is? Would you like to know how three of them ended up in …
Luxor Temple – Egypt
This photograph of Ramses II’s statue at the Luxor Temple was taken by Lisburn-born soldier, Major William Sinclair Corken MBE. …
Limestone Lintel of Ramses III
Today’s Virtual Museum post features one of the standout artefacts from the British Museum’s touring exhibition ‘Egyptian hieroglyphs: unlock the …
Classic cars on Bridge Street!
This week’s Virtual Museum post is a walk down Bridge Street, featuring some classic cars of the era. Can you …
A more elegant way to travel!
This week’s Virtual Museum post is a snapshot from our photographic collection. A family heading off on an outing at …
‘Putting milk into babies’: The Welfare Foods Scheme
Our Virtual Museum post this week is a photograph from our collection, dated June 1951. Pictured at the Child Welfare …
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Robert Stewart Mill Workers 1938
The Virtual Museum post for this week is a 1938 photograph of employees at the Robert Stewart & Sons thread …
Lisburn Girl Guides
This week’s Virtual Museum post is another photograph drawn from our extensive collection. Dated 1939, it features a group of …
The Coronation of George VI in Lisburn: a ‘Very Happy Day Spent’
With preparations for King Charles III’s Coronation celebrations underway, our Virtual Museum post this week looks at a previous Coronation …
The Coronation of George VI in Lisburn: a ‘Very Happy Day Spent’ Read More »
The Unveiling of Lisburn’s War Memorial, 28th April 1923
The 28th April 2023 marks the centenary of the unveiling of Lisburn’s War Memorial at Castle Gardens. This week’s Virtual …
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The Plight of the Big House with JAK Dean
The fifth talk in our 2023 Winter Talks Series features J.A.K. Dean on the plight of an endangered species, The …
‘Who do we think we are?’: Issues of Identity and belonging.
This panel discussion, part of our 2023 Winter Talks Series, discusses lesser-explored identities in Northern Ireland. Panellists Lisa Rea Currie, …
‘Who do we think we are?’: Issues of Identity and belonging. Read More »
‘Lisburn and the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP’ with Ronan McGreevy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh39e8NMJ1c The second talk in our 2023 Winter Talks Series features Ronan McGreevy. This talk examines Field Marshal Sir Henry …
‘Lisburn and the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP’ with Ronan McGreevy Read More »
Lisburn’s Hugh McCall (1805-1897)
Journalist, historian and author, Hugh McCall was born on the 21st April 1805 in Chapel Hill, Lisburn. He was the …
Remembering the Great Fire of Lisburn, 20th April 1707
This week’s Virtual Museum post features an important artefact from the town’s rich history. Located at the entrance of the …
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The old Lisburn court house
This week’s Virtual Museum post is another drawn from our photographic collection. It captures the demolition of the old Lisburn …
Hinds Bros. of Bow Street
This week’s Virtual Museum post is another item drawn from our photographic collection. Taken in the early 1900s, it features …
Photographic Collection: Crazy Prices Lisburn
Do you remember Crazy Prices in Bow Street, Lisburn? It was developed in the late 1980s on former site of …
Sloan Street Presbyterian Church
Our Virtual Museum post for this week is a photograph drawn from our photographic collection of the men who built …
Photographic Collection: Antrim Street, Lisburn
Take a look at this image which was kindly donated to our collection by avid local photographer Mr John Press. …
‘What Happened to Christian Ireland?’ with Prof Crawford Gribben
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7zA8dUZpIw The first talk in our 2023 Winter Talks Series features Professor Crawford Gribben of Queen’s University Belfast. Professor Gribben …
‘What Happened to Christian Ireland?’ with Prof Crawford Gribben Read More »
Watch: BBC’s Antiques Roadtrip visits the Museum
BBC’s hugely popular Antiques Roadtrip features antiques experts as they tour the UK searching for treasures, competing with each other …
Watch: BBC’s Antiques Roadtrip visits the Museum Read More »
‘All aboard!’ Hillsborough Train Station.
This week’s Virtual Museum post is a scene which has sadly disappeared from our countryside, the rural railway station. Drawn …
Lisburn Shopping Week 1930
This week’s Virtual Museum post delves into our photographic collection to look at a 1930 initiative by the Lisburn Chamber …
International Women’s Day – Mrs Lillian Metge and The Suffragettes in Lisburn
To mark International Women’s Day we are exploring the life of Mrs Lillian Metge, a local woman who played a …
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Hilden and New Jersey
Did you know that the village of Hilden has strong historical connections with with the city of Paterson, New Jersey? …
‘Should have gone to Radio Rentals’.
Radio Rentals, once a feature of highstreets across the UK was the first company to offer domestic entertainment equipment rentals. …
Photographic Collection: Guess the Year, Linen Hall Street.
An image from our photographic collection featuring a row of derelict houses, located just behind Bridge street. The image was …
Photographic Collection: Guess the Year, Linen Hall Street. Read More »
McKeown Street Lisburn – what are your memories?
We are interested in piecing together the story of McKeown Street, Lisburn. What are your memories of the street? Did …
McKeown Street Lisburn – what are your memories? Read More »
Photographic Collection: Market Place Lisburn c.1991
Take a look at this great image from our photographic collection. The image shows Market Place looking from the Tower …
Photographic Collection: Market Place Lisburn c.1991 Read More »
Photographic Collection: Smithfield Square
Do you Recognise this view? A bustling Smithfield Square car park and bus stop, C.1970s. This image from our photographic archive was …
Holocaust Memorial Day: Objects from the museum’s collection
Today, 27th January, is Holocaust Memorial Day. First marked in the UK in 2001, Holocaust Memorial Day allows people to …
Holocaust Memorial Day: Objects from the museum’s collection Read More »
The Spinning Room, Wm Barbour & Sons LTD, 1938
This week’s Virtual Museum item is a 1938 photograph of the No. 3 Spinning Room staff at Wm. Barbour & …
Photographic Gallery: Anniversary of Nicolson Statue unveiling
Today marks the anniversary of the unveiing of a statue of Brigadier-General John Nicholson (1822-57). It was presented to the …
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On this day in 1690 the Duke of Schomberg forbade what in Lisburn?
Frederick Hermann, the 1st Duke of Schomberg was King William’s principal general in Ireland between 1689 and up until his …
On this day in 1690 the Duke of Schomberg forbade what in Lisburn? Read More »
Winter Talks Programme 2023
Winter Talks Programme 2023 The museum is pleased to announce our Winter Talks programme for 2023. Running from 31st …
Historical Photograph: Demolition of Jordans Mill
Do you remember or know anyone who worked at Jordan’s Mill? The flour mill situated on Antrim Street, operated for …
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‘To Absent Friends’ – Lisburn at Christmas during World War One.
Christmas is a time when separation from loved ones is most keenly felt. The separation from one’s family in times …
‘To Absent Friends’ – Lisburn at Christmas during World War One. Read More »
‘Christmas Greetings from Lisburn’: Guess the Year
Another festive feature from our photographic collection. But can you guess what year it was taken? Answer revealed below! Market …
‘Christmas Greetings from Lisburn’: Guess the Year Read More »
Historic Photo: Christmas In Market Square c.1970s
Are you in the festive spirit yet? Take a look at this photograph from our collection featuring a seasonal …
Historic Photo: Christmas In Market Square c.1970s Read More »
A Glimpse Into Seventeenth Century Lisburn
This week’s Virtual Museum post focuses on an item in the museum’s collection which was discovered in nearby Castle Gardens. …
‘One of the most representative institutions in the town’ – The Lisburn News Room
At this time of the year, during the pre-Christmas rush everyone is busy, not least the shopkeepers and traders of …
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60th anniversary of the ‘big freeze’!
The Big Freeze of 1963 Remaining one of the coldest winters on record, 1962 saw a series of blizzards cover …
‘The business life of the community’ – Lisburn Market
Our latest Virtual Museum post is a snapshot of what is undoubtedly Lisburn’s oldest tradition, market day. This striking photograph, …
‘The business life of the community’ – Lisburn Market Read More »
‘A Distinguished Ulsterman’ – St Clair Mulholland: the American Civil War Colonel from Lisburn
Bridge Street has been one of Lisburn’s most important areas going right back to its earliest times. The street’s close …
A Grand Challenge Match for the Lisburn Air Raid Distress Fund 1941
Today’s Virtual Museum post focuses upon a fascinating item from World War Two. A poster advertising a local charity football …
A Grand Challenge Match for the Lisburn Air Raid Distress Fund 1941 Read More »
Photo of the week, Bow Street Mall Shopping Centre
Do you remember Crazy Prices in Bow Street, Lisburn? It was developed in the late 1980s on former site of …
Photo of the week, Bow Street Mall Shopping Centre Read More »
Flax Improvement Society Medals 1845 and 1846
As the Irish linen industry grew at the turn of the eighteenth century, linen merchants felt that a governing body …
Tutankhamun, Howard Carter, and Lisburn Museum.
This past week marked 100 years since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb near Luxor, Egypt, an event which made headlines …
Harry Ferguson and His Monoplane at Hillsborough, 1909
Today’s Virtual Museum post pays tribute to inventor Harry Ferguson, who was born on this day (4th November) 1884 just …
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Photographic collection Highlight: Bow Street Lisburn
Can you guess the year of this Bow Street scene? A shot of a busy Bow Street from our photographic …
Photographic collection Highlight: Bow Street Lisburn Read More »
‘Long may those old and innocent customs be perpetuated in our province’ – Halloween in Lisburn Past
Halloween is with us once again. In shop windows costumes, props, sweets and nuts have been displayed for weeks now. …
‘One of the most honoured members of the community’ – John Millar and the Lisburn Gas Company.
As present day energy costs are never far from the news headlines, this week’s Virtual Museum blog post looks back …
‘Without parallel in the Kingdom’ – The Hillsborough Wedding Reception of the Earl of Hillsborough and Caroline Frances Stapleton Cotton
In a previous Virtual Museum post we looked at the 1837 wedding of Arthur Wills Hill and Caroline Frances Stapleton …
Video: Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Her Visits to Lisburn
The passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 was met with sadness in Lisburn. The Museum …
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Twenty one years of the Egan Harp at the Lisburn Museum
Harp making has a long history on the island of Ireland, going back over a thousand years. A specialist craft …
Twenty one years of the Egan Harp at the Lisburn Museum Read More »
‘Nowhere in the British Isles was the tragic passing of His Majesty received with greater sorrow’ – Lisburn and the Death of George VI.
Over the past twelve days the world has been captivated by the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen …
Our contribution to the The BBC Six Music Museum!
Emma with out 160-year old loom! On 1 September 2022 Emma, our Assistant Education Officer, contributed to BBC’s Six Music …
Our contribution to the The BBC Six Music Museum! Read More »
‘Lisburn to the Front’ – The Lisburn Wheelers Cycling Club
In the late nineteenth century cycling became a popular pastime across many parts of the world. Initially a quite expensive …
‘Lisburn to the Front’ – The Lisburn Wheelers Cycling Club Read More »
Marriage of ‘the Big Marquis’ – the 1837 wedding of the Earl of Hillsborough and Caroline Frances Stapleton Cotton
Hillsborough Castle, the famous eighteenth century Georgian mansion, which is today the official residence in Northern Ireland of Queen Elizabeth …
Henry de Massue, Earl of Galway: Exploring Perspective with collections
Do you ever feel like you’re being watched by paintings? Don’t worry, you aren’t actually imagining things. The reason for …
Henry de Massue, Earl of Galway: Exploring Perspective with collections Read More »
The Killing of Sir Henry Wilson: an Irish Tragedy by Prof Fearghal McGarry
In October 2021 the museum hosted a free online talk, titled ‘The killing of Sir Henry Wilson: an Irish Tragedy’, …
The Killing of Sir Henry Wilson: an Irish Tragedy by Prof Fearghal McGarry Read More »
Object: Postcard Featuring The Lake, Wallace Park c1900
Object: Postcard Featuring The Lake, Wallace Park c1900 With summer right around the corner, it’s time to take advantage of …
Object: Postcard Featuring The Lake, Wallace Park c1900 Read More »
Photographic Collection: Market Place, c.2005
Market Place Renovations, c.2005 Lisburn has changed a lot over the years, here is a snippet from our collections showing …
Arch welcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, June 1937
Arch welcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, June 1937 As the people of Lisburn & Castlereagh mark the Queen’s …
Arch welcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, June 1937 Read More »
Mayor’s Parade: Radio Valley – can you guess the year?
Can you guess the year? The Radio Valley float as part of the Lord Mayor’s Parade. Crowds can be seen …
Mayor’s Parade: Radio Valley – can you guess the year? Read More »
Video: A Barbour Rolls Royce
Video: a Barbour Rolls Royce What a fantastic video! Follow the link to view this ITV video of John D. …
Proof Cloth, Clemow’s Hotel Queenstown, South Africa woven at John Shaw Brown’s
Proof Cloth, Clemow’s Hotel Queenstown, woven at John Shaw Brown’s Donated in 2021 this fantastic proof cloth was woven at …
Proof Cloth, Clemow’s Hotel Queenstown, South Africa woven at John Shaw Brown’s Read More »
New Acquisition: Medals of Dr J.G. Johnston M.C. (1884-1971), Lisburn
New Acquisition: Medals of Dr J.G. Johnston M.C. (1884-1971), Lisburn Educated at Queen’s University Belfast, Dr Johnston practiced medicine at …
New Acquisition: Medals of Dr J.G. Johnston M.C. (1884-1971), Lisburn Read More »
Bundles of thread from WM Barbour & Sons, Lisburn, Ireland
Bundles of thread from Wm Barbour & Sons, Lisburn, N. Ireland A kind visitor recently donated this rare bundle of …
Bundles of thread from WM Barbour & Sons, Lisburn, Ireland Read More »
Object: a photograph of Bridge Street, 2000
Object: a photograph of Bridge Street, 2000 Do you remember the Millennium? What were you doing as we moved from …
Object: Irene MacWilliam’s amazing Irish Linen Wall Hanging
Object: Irene MacWilliam’s amazing Irish Linen Wall Hanging LMILC.1997.103 Irene McWilliam is one of the foremost quilters and embroiders. She …
Object: Irene MacWilliam’s amazing Irish Linen Wall Hanging Read More »
