Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum

Warp back in time and explore Ireland’s industrial heritage in our award-winning, permanent exhibition, ‘Flax to Fabric: the Story of Irish Linen’. Through live spinning and weaving demonstrations, our expert guides tell the rich history of linen production in Ulster, from the earliest times to the present. Irish linen is famous worldwide, in the linen collection gallery, visitors are able to view fine samples of seventeenth-century Coulson’s damask whose linen was bought by Royal houses all over Europe. Also on view is a costume collection which includes designs by renowned Irish designer Sybil Connolly, whose dresses were worn by Jackie Kennedy. The gallery includes a selection of fine linen christening robes, stockings embroidered for Queen Victoria and wares from the world-renowned Robinson & Cleaver. Regular exhibitions on the history of Lisburn, its people and the surrounding area are displayed in Lisburn Museum’s historic 17th-century Market House gallery. Public education programming includes free guided tours of its galleries, the town and Castle Gardens. Arts, science and history workshops are tailored to group needs. Lisburn Museum has a comprehensive autumn programme, seasonal workshops and special event programme throughout the year.

A full Education Services brochure is available on request. Schools and special interests groups have a selection of programmes and workshops to choose from, details from reception. All programming is free. Lisburn Museum has accessible parking beside the building and a choice of public car parks nearby. A shop area offering a small section of linen goods is located at reception. This is the only place in the world where the Flax Flower damask design is available to buy, a range of linen tableware is on sale.

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Opening times

9.30am – 5pm, Monday to Saturday

Price from £

Free