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The Linen Hall is the oldest library in Belfast but we are much more than that. Since 1788, we have been opening minds in the city and beyond, promoting the pursuit of knowledge and preserving our world-renowned collections for you.
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Performance Area Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square...
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Founded as the Belfast Library and Society for Promoting...
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The Linen Hall’s Theatre & Performing Arts archive is the...
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Collecting since 1788, and uniquely placed thanks to our...
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The Linen Hall (Belfast Library And Society For Promoting...
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A wealth of archival materials, posters, artefacts, and...
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Support the preservation of the library and enjoy a myriad...
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The Linen Hall is Belfast’s living room – a place to relax,...
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Founded in 1788, The Linen Hall Library is a unique institution that preserves and promotes the cultural heritage of Northern Ireland. Explore its collections of books, journals, manuscripts, and digital archives, or visit its Victorian-era building on Donegall Square North.
Linen Hall Library 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast, United Kingdom. Join us to explore Samhain (or Halloween), the festival that marks the beginning of the Celtic year: a time when boundaries are crossed, disguises are worn and games are played. Get Tickets £5.00 – £6.50.
- The Oldest Surviving Subscription Library in Ireland
- Early Days of The Belfast Reading Society
- Thomas Russell
- Library Donations
- Growth of The Society
- Support For The Promotion of Knowledge
- Preserving The Music of Ireland
- Relocation of The Belfast Reading Society 1888
- The New Premises
- The Linen Hall Library in The 20th Century
The Belfast Reading Library
The Linen Hall Library grew out of the Belfast Reading Society. This Society was established in Belfast on 13th May 1788. Its stated aim was
The Economic Growth of Belfast Town
In the latter years of the eighteenth century, Belfast developed from a country town into an urban centre of industry, commerce and trade. As well as traditional employment Belfast had sugar refineries (in Rosemary Street and Sugarhouse Entry), an iron foundry (in Hill Street), a ropeworks (in Corporation Street) and an extensive international import/export market. For the main part it was these enterprising merchants and ‘artisans’, who often held quite liberal views, who gathered together t...
Growth of Belfast Societies
Many of these businessmen were not of the Established Church so laboured under certain restrictions. By forming societies, worthy in themselves, they also had an outlet for forming their own social circles and hierarchy, while providing benefits for the town.
Founders & Members
Two of the original founders of the Belfast Reading Society were Roger Mulholland, the architect of the First Presbyterian Meeting House, St Anne’s and the White Linen Hall, and Dr James McDonnell regarded as the ‘Father of Belfast Medicine’. Among other early members were Henry and Robert Joy who owned papermills at Cromac and Randalstown. (Their father, Francis Joy, had established the Belfast Newsletter in 1737). John McCracken owner of Belfast Ropeworks, Robert Caldwell a banker, the Legg...
Membership & Rules
The original rules decreed that new persons to be admitted to the Society had to be recommended by an existing member and subject to a ballot – six or more black beans meant exclusion. The subscription was one British shilling per month. A committee of 5 was to be elected to oversee the library, collect payments and fines and to purchase suitable books. Items were not to be borrowed for more than 14 days if it was required by another member and strictly never to be lent to anyone outside the...
Belfast Reading Society Meetings
The first meetings of the Belfast Reading Society were held on Saturday evenings in various hostelries in the town, such as Brown’s Tavern or the Donegal Arms. However, this was considered unsatisfactory by some members and more suitable premises were sought. A room in the Poor House in Frederick Street was suggested but this was thought to be too far out of town. Several other locations such as a building in Factory Row and Mr Telfair’s house in the town centre proved unsuitable.
Background
One of the earliest librarians of the Society and arguably the most famous was Thomas Russell. Russell was born on 21st November 1767 in County Cork. At an early age he joined the army and fought with outstanding bravery at the battle of Cannanore in India. However, disenchanted at the authority’s treatment of the locals, he returned to Ireland. In 1790 he was stationed in Belfast as an officer of the 64th Regiment. Here he met like-minded people such as William Drennan, Samuel McTier and Hen...
Thomas Russell’s Beliefs
With the help of his friends Drennan and Dr McDonnell, Russell was appointed to the post of Librarian of the Society. However, Thomas was determined to do all he could to establish a more equal world for all, especially the working classes. Russell’s articles in the Northern Star show his liberal attitudes and his strong anti-slavery stance. He realised that the government were deaf to political reform, leaving the United Irishmen no option but to take up arms. However, his radical opinions d...
Amended Society Rules
On 1st January 1795 the Society endorsed a set of amended rules. One of these officially permitted women members. Not a principle universally accepted at the time. On 1st November 1789 Mary Ann McCracken took the place of her brother Henry Joy, who had been executed in Cornmarket for his role in the Rebellion.
As the Society was self-funded, all donations, grants and bequests were gratefully accepted. Indeed, it is recorded in October 1793 Some of the book donations for 1788-1798 included 1. Curry’s History of Ireland – Mr R Cary [benefactor] 1. hysical and Literary Essays – Mr Wm McCleery [benefactor] 1. Donaldson’s Military Tactics – Dr McDonnell [bene...
In 1823 George Benn describes the Society Over the years the Library acquired a vast array of books and periodicals. However, other artefacts and specimens were also collected and displayed for the use and knowledge of library members. However, by the 1830’s space and finances became an issue. With the founding of the Natural History Society in 182...
The Society also sought to ‘promote knowledge’ in practical ways. Through the determination of the pioneering educator Dr John Campbell, a motion was passed for the establishment of a Free School in Belfast for the sons of the poor. In addition, Society members John Templeton, Robert Simms, Dr Stephenson and Henry Joy were the founding fathers of B...
The Society also had an interest in compiling the ancient music of Ireland as itinerant musicians and traditional folksongs were fast disappearing. At the Belfast Harp Festival in July 1792 these old melodies were copied out by Edward Bunting, assistant organist at St Anne’s Church. This resulted in the important work Ancient Irish Music published ...
By the 1840’s the Society had amassed a collection of over 8,000 books. In 1888 the Society was forced to find new premises as the White Linen Hall was being demolished to make way for the erection of Belfast City Hall. The Library found its current location just across the road in a linen warehouse on Donegall Square North purchased for £6,750. It...
This linen warehouse had been designed in a Classical style by Charles Lanyon in 1865 for the firm of Moore & Weinberg. The entrance to the building is quite unobtrusive, but the carved drapes of linen and the ‘hand of Ulster’ betray its original purpose. The changes made to the interior were carried out by the Belfast firm Young and Mackenzie. The...
Fear of Closure and Public Support
In the later half of the twentieth century financial concerns and the negative effect of the Troubles on the city as a whole resulted in a Library in decline. There was even fear of a permanent closure. However, a public campaign and allowing free reference access, increased the Library’s profile. This was so successful that the upper floors of an adjacent property were leased to permit the Library to expand. Construction began in 1999 and was completed by September 2000.
The Linen Hall Library Collections
The Linen Hall Library, as it is commonly known, is famous for its Irish collection, especially early printed histories of Belfast. It has a wide range of works in Irish, as well as extensive holdings of historic maps and photographs. The Society also maintains and preserves newspapers (dating back to 1783), journals and archive material. The earliest book held by the Library is De Anima (Book of the Soul) by Avicenna, a Persian philosopher and polymath (an individual whose knowledge spans a...
The Linen Hall Library is located at 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Northern Ireland. The Library is physically in the centre of Belfast, and more generally at the centre of the cultural and creative life of the wider community.
Founded in 1788, Linen Hall Library is the last subscribing library in Ireland and a cultural hub for Belfast. It houses rare and unique collections of Irish and local history, politics, theatre and CS Lewis books.
Belfast's oldest library with famous Irish and genealogy collections, housed in a listed Victorian linen building. Founded in 1788, Linen Hall Library is the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Ireland.
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