A truly unique institution in Northern Ireland, Linen Hall Library is the country’s oldest, having been founded in Belfast way back in 1788. It’s renowned for its incredible collection of Irish and local studies that’s unparalleled anywhere else in the country.
There’s also a comprehensive holding of early Belfast and Ulster printed books, and around 250,000 items in the Northern Ireland Political Collection.
Linen Hall Library is seen as something of a centre of cultural and creative life in Northern Ireland, also being home to the Northern Ireland Theatre and Performing Arts Archive. Throughout the year, there are also numerous events, exhibitions, readings and lectures to attend.
The library is also home to a collection of books about, and donated by, CS Lewis, author of the Narnia children’s books and one of the biggest-selling writers of all time.
Admission to the library is free and visitors are always welcome to come and view the collections, although donations are appreciated. Have a look around at the wealth of knowledge and history collected here before stopping for some refreshments in the coffee shop, or even get a quick bite to eat.
As well as being at the centre of creative and intellectual life in Belfast, the Linen Hall Library is also at the geographical centre of the city, making it an important landmark as well as cultural institution.
For any visitor to Belfast, the Linen Hall Library offers a great insight into the literary and cultural heritage of the city.
