The Linen Hall

03/06/2026

The 1939 Diary of a Belfast Cinema-goer
Friday 19th June – 1pm - 2pm
£6 Members – £7.50 Non-Members

In this talk, cinema historian Sam Manning uses a 1939 diary to explore cinema-going habits in 1930s Belfast.

The anonymous diarist recorded and rated all 325 films they saw in 1939, revealing their preferences at a time when a trip to the flicks was the most popular leisure activity. The talk also looks at the diarist’s favourite venues, including picture palaces such as the Majestic and the Ritz. Although the writer never recorded their name, the diary entries contain clues that may help reveal their identity.

Join Sam to discover more about Belfast’s cinema history and perhaps help uncover the mystery diarist.

To book your ticket, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/the-1939-diary-of-a-belfast-cinema-goer/

LIBRARY, MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

01/06/2026

‘A very Ann way of puttin’ it’: Names, Language and Gender Politics in Frances Molloy’s No Mate for the Magpie
Friday 5th June – 1pm - 2pm
£6 Members – £7.50 Non-Members

Frances Molloy (1947-1991) was the author of thirteen short stories (collected as Women are the Scourge of the Earth. 1998) and one novel, No Mate for the Magpie (1985), before her untimely death. Slim though this body of work is, it is without doubt significant.

No Mate for the Magpie, written in Molloy’s own vernacular, demonstrates both the scope of her interests and her keen literary intelligence. It was and remains, forty years after its publication, a remarkably innovative and original work which deserves a wider reputation.

This talk by Dr Eamonn Hughes will concentrate on naming, language and gender politics in the novel.

To learn more and to book, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/a-very-ann-way-of-puttin-it-names-language-and-gender-politics-in-frances-molloys-no-mate-for-the-magpie/

Frances Molloy (1947-1991) was the author of thirteen short stories (collected as Women are the Scourge of the Earth. 1998) and one novel, No Mate for the Magpie (1985), before her untimely death. […]

01/06/2026

Two places have become free on our poetry workshop: ‘Home Again’: Creative Writing Workshop with Stephen de Búrca.

Delivered as part of the Gerald Dawe Poetry Bursary, a partnership project with Poetry Ireland, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and The Linen Hall.

This workshop will explore ideas around home and returns through prompts and by considering examples from Dawe’s own writing, as well as by turning to writers and artists that Dawe himself returned home to and in whom he found inspiration.

To learn more, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/home-again-creative-writing-workshop-with-stephen-de-burca/

Delivered as part of the Gerald Dawe Poetry Bursary, a partnership project with Poetry Ireland, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and The Linen Hall. This two-hour workshop will take the theme […]

01/06/2026

Many thanks to everyone who attended and spoke at our Integrated Education Exhibition Launch on Friday.

For those of you who were unable to make it, we did record a video and will have it up on the website once it is ready.

Our 'All Children Together and the Story of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland Exhibition' continues until 9 July. The exhibition is free to attend and you can learn more about what is on offer here: https://linenhall.com/event/all-children-together-and-the-story-of-integrated-education-in-northern-ireland-free-exhibition/

27/05/2026

The Linen Hall Charity Bookshop has officially reopened in its new home on the corner of Rosemary Street and Lombard Street. The shop is now open for business, and we look forward to welcoming visitors! 📚📖🎉

To learn more, please visit: https://linenhall.com/new-bookshop-location/

The Linen Hall Charity Bookshop has officially reopened in its new home on the corner of Rosemary Street and Lombard Street, following its recent move from the previous site opposite […]

26/05/2026

Shaping the Island of Ireland’s Constitutional Story
30th July – 1pm - 2pm
Free

Across the island and throughout the diaspora, women have always been engaged in making and remaking Ireland’s constitutional story. From Párliment na mBan in 1670 to feminist organising in every century, Ireland has repeatedly generated fresh ways of thinking about law and authority.

Aoife O Donohue’s talk, which is part of Féile an Phobail 2026, explores the legacy of trailblazing women like Constance Markievicz, Mary Robinson and many others

Tickets are free, but space is limited. Please book your free ticket for the event here: https://linenhall.com/event/shaping-the-island-of-irelands-constitutional-story/

Across the island and throughout the diaspora, women have always been engaged in making and remaking Ireland’s constitutional story. From Párliment na mBan in 1670 to feminist organising in every […]

26/05/2026

Integrated Education Exhibition Launch
29th May – 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Free

Join us for the launch of our exhibition, All Children Together and the Story of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. This event will include a programme of contributions and reflections from guest speakers including:

• Cecil Linehan (founder member of All Children Together)
• Brian Lambkin (founder teacher and later Principal of Lagan College)
• Noreen Campbell (founder teacher and later Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College, and former Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education CEO)

Tickets are free, but space is limited. Please book your free ticket for the event here: https://linenhall.com/event/integrated-education-exhibition-launch/

Join us for the launch of our exhibition, All Children Together and the Story of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. This event will include a programme of contributions and reflections […]

20/05/2026

PARENT POWER AND THE CREATION OF INTEGRATED SCHOOLS
6th July – 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
£6.00 – £7.50

Parental choice is a central part of Northern Ireland’s education system. In this discussion, two founder parents will share their stories of establishing new integrated schools in the 1980s.

To learn more, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/parent-power-and-the-creation-of-integrated-schools/

Parental choice is a central part of Northern Ireland’s education system. One of the themes that emerged in the community engagement workshops and oral history interviews recorded as part of […]

20/05/2026

The 1939 Diary of a Belfast Cinema-goer
19th June – 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
£6.00 – £7.50

In this talk, cinema historian Sam Manning uses a 1939 diary to explore cinema-going habits in 1930s Belfast.

To learn more, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/the-1939-diary-of-a-belfast-cinema-goer/

Upcoming Events at Linen Hall Loading view. Today Now Now – 11/04/2024 11th April Select date. Apr 10 5th April – 9:30 am – 26th April – 5:30 pm Testimony […]

20/05/2026

THE FUTURE OF INTEGRATED EDUCATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND
17th June – 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
£6.00 – £7.50

Join us for a compelling panel discussion exploring the future of integrated education in Northern Ireland.

The panel will reflect on the history of integrated education and consider how recent developments — including the 2022 Integrated Education Act and recent decisions on Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary School — may shape the future of the integrated sector within Northern Ireland’s wider education system.

To learn more, please visit: https://linenhall.com/event/the-future-of-integrated-education-in-northern-ireland/