Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum

About the museum

Lisburn Museum opened in 1981 under its first curator, Brian Mackey, to collect and show the local history of Lisburn and the Lagan Valley. The Irish Linen Centre was added in 1994, and the two now work together as one visitor attraction in Market Square.

The building is the former Market House, a 17th-century structure that has been altered a great deal over time. The ground floor was a trading place, and John Wesley preached there in 1756. The Assembly Rooms on the first floor hosted social and political events in the 18th and 19th centuries. The market place outside was where Lisburn’s linen was sold.

The permanent exhibition, Flax to Fabric, tells the story of Irish linen from ancient Egypt to the factories of the Lagan Valley. It includes a recreated 18th-century weaver’s cottage, a weaving workshop where weavers demonstrate on Jacquard looms, and fine linen and damask, including pieces from the Coulson company and dresses by the designer Sybil Connolly. The museum also stages local history displays, temporary exhibitions, a library and research service, and a free learning programme for schools and community groups.

Highlights

• Flax to Fabric exhibition on the history of Irish linen
• Live hand-loom weaving and spinning demonstrations
• Recreated 18th-century weaver’s cottage
• Fine damask and linen, including Coulson pieces and Sybil Connolly dresses
• Free entry and free workshops for groups and schools

Permanent exhibitions

• Flax to Fabric: the story of Irish linen – The museum’s main exhibition on Irish linen, from ancient Egypt to the Lagan Valley mills, with spinning and weaving demonstrations and a recreated weaver’s cottage.
• The Weaving Workshop – A working workshop with Jacquard looms where weavers demonstrate hand-loom weaving and talk to visitors.

Founded

1981

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and donations are welcome. Tours and workshops for groups and schools are also free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum describes itself as fully accessible. Blue Badge holders can park on the south side of the building. An induction loop is fitted in the Assembly Room and at reception, and staff are trained in sign language and blind awareness. A Braille guide to the Flax to Fabric exhibition is available, and its text panels are also provided in French, German and Italian. Only service dogs are allowed inside, to protect the textile and taxidermy collections.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Visitors can try a spinning wheel, and the museum runs the Flaxie Buds early years programme for young children as well as free weaving and arts workshops for school groups.

Getting there & parking

Lisburn is about eight miles from Belfast, just off the motorway between Belfast and Dublin. what3words: ///paid.tags.riding

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There is no café in the museum; the town centre has many cafés and restaurants, and reception can provide a list.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit