History of the Linen Hall Library Belfast & What to See Here

The library was created in 1788 as the Belfast Reading Society. This was during the historical period of "enlightenment" which encouraged discovery and knowledge amongst the upper classes in society. It was a huge success and interest grew amongst the wealthy class of Belfast, and in 1792 was known as the Belfast Society for the Promotion of Knowledge.

The Society was a home to many with radical thought, and those inspired by the French and American Revolutions of the late 18th Century, and thus the society attracted many members of the United Irishmen Movement, who rose against the British government in 1798.

This rebellion was quickly crushed, and one of the Belfast Society members Thomas Russell was executed. The Library escaped destruction by Government forces however, due to the membership of the Society by many Conservative members, and those loyal to the Crown.

For a time, the society went into decline, as the Society had no permanent home, but this was rectified in 1802 when the Library procured its first proper home. This was in the clock tower area of the White Linen Hall, which is where the City Hall stands today.

The Library suffered some lean years in the 19th Century, and as a result a loss in members; particularly students who were asked not to attend Queen's University. As the 100th year anniversary of the Library approached, its fate looked doomed, as it had to make way for the erection of a new City Hall. However, a permanent home was found, in a warehouse designed by esteemed architect Sir Charles Lanyon (who constructed the famous Lanyon building on Queen's University Campus) at 17 - 19 Donegall Square North.

This building was previously used as a workplace for the construction of linen, the new home derived its name from its previous industry. This led to a period of mass reformation of the library, in terms of the change of its ownership from private to public, and the mass collection of books, from early Belfast and provincial journals. Belfast was always a divided city, but the Library tried to incorporate cultural events to highlight both cultures, and held an Irish Harp Festival at the time.

It's fair to say that the Library suffered a huge decline in the years following the War of Independence in Ireland, and subsequent Civil War. Belfast had its own share of troubles at the time, with many religious pogroms and street fighting being common.

The Library still held major esteem as the public library system was slow to be encouraged by the Government and up to the end of WW2 it was still in high regard, attracting playwrights, artists and novelists to its fold, as well as a large array of political material collection.

However, poor strategic policy led to further decline and in the years following the troubles in the late 1960's, the library had to depend on Government aid to continue, due to dwindling memberships. The old building was crumbling, and the organisation suffered from money problems and closure seemed inevitable, and the threat of leasing of the property to the public library service.

At the start of the 1980's a "Save the Linen Hall Campaign" effectively saved the Library. The City Council offered grant funding to the library and the governors made the decision to allow free public access to material and promote Irish studies, study of Politics and Culture. The move was a success and it had almost 4,000 members by the late 1990's.

During the mid 1990's it was plain to see that a lack of space was hindering the revival of the library. This was remedied in 1995 with the acquisition of a lease on part of the neighbouring property at 48-50 Fountain Street, which gave the Linen Hall Library almost 50% extra room.

The Heritage Lottery Fund, together with public generosity enabled the connection of both buildings, and with 3 million sterling in raised funds, the Millennium extension was officially opened in 2000, which links the two buildings, provides more space, and allows for increased membership and visitors to the Library.

What to see at the Linen Hall Library...

It's estimated that the linen hall has possibly 250,000 volumes of books. Not only does it have a free public referring service and a book lending service for adults and children, but it also hosts many collections of huge importance.

It's the main focus for Irish and Local Study in the North of Ireland, and has a huge collection as well as early Ulster and Belfast publications, with newspapers dating back to the early 18th century. In addition it has a huge manuscript collection, historical maps, archived material, and a huge testament to the Political situation in Northern Ireland from 1968, with over a quarter of a million items relating to "The Troubles" from both sides of the divide.

The Library also has many genealogy collections, poetry material by esteemed writer Robert Burns and Art in Northern Ireland.



Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

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A Short History on the Medicines of Nature

Way back in the early 1900s, vegetables, cereals and fruits were simply things to eat. Everyone including doctors only thought of these things as substances that will satisfy one's appetite and at the same time supplied fuel to the body. Beyond this fact no one had the slightest knowledge of the healing effects it have on our bodies.

But with the introduction of biochemistry as one of the topics overed in medical schools, human kind began to discover the fundamental, that health and strength do not depend so much on the specific substances we ingest as food, as they do on the vital organic and mineral contents of these substances!

Tomato

When first cultivated, the tomato was thought to be poisonous even by medical men of standing, was considered as a cause of cancer, and partaken of by few people. With its development into a large, luscious fruit-vegetable, the old idea was thrown into the discard with many other erroneous popular opinions, and the tomato was accepted both as wholesome food and as a delicacy. What is the real, though generally unknown reason for its popularity? Nothing less than its richness in organic and mineral elements, possessing as it does, an average of Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorus, besides other valuable elements.

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard, once not even considered either herb or vegetable, but a weed, is now almost as great a favorite as broccoli. Its contents include Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, and other elements just as valuable though less in quantity.

Celery

Celery is possibly one of the most universally appreciated vegetables. Not so long ago it was considered an herb, splendid as a tea for the nervous. Celery, like the tomato and the apple, has developed from a favorite medicine into a food.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is another vegetable that was considered a medicine of value in constipation. Gradually it was accepted as good material for delicious pies, then as an appetizing sauce, and finally, splendid for the making of wine!

Lettuce

Lettuce, formerly good food for cattle and chickens, is now a universal favorite and is preparable in many forms.

Beets

Beets once were once cattle food, but due to their appearance and appeal to the appetite, gradually found their way to the table as food for man also.

Onions

Onions, universally liked and as universally despised, are rich in Potassium and Phosphorus. They are the ideal remedy in the onset of colds and all bronchial trouble. These vegetables are all accepted as desirable. 'A hundred and fifty years ago practically every mother knew how to roast or hake onions until soft, then squeeze out the juice and sweeten with honey to give to the children for colds, coughs, even Croup or Pneumonia. It has lost none of its virtues. The family doctor was called only as a last resort.

Mushroom

This was once considered a fungus pure and simple, also a poison. Now it is a great favorite with almost all people. Its richest element is Iodine and it therefore is the ideal food:for those suffering from under-development and goitre.

Seaweed

Seaweed, also known as Irish moss and by various other names, has the same value as the mushroom. It is rich in germ-plasm and Iodine.

Herbs

Next to be considered are a few of those plant products which still are classified as herbs. White Oak bark was a universal favorite with the early physicians. Potash is part of its mineral elements. Gout, rheumatism, intermittent fevers and chronic diarrhoea and other sympathetic maladies were treated with it. Broom Herb, the kidney remedy of the herbalists, also contains Potash. Shave Grass, the favorite kidney remedy is rich in Calcium and Silicon.

Juices

Who is there who does not like fruit and fruit juice drinks? Until lately, fruits helped to satisfy appetite and fruit drinks were considered as soothing in fevers. Fruits also made appetizing wines. What are the real facts. Wild cherry juice, whether fermented or unfermented, was always considered a tonic. The reason for this is its richness in Iron Oxide, Potassium Oxide and Phosphoric Acid.

Fust as wild cherry was known as a tonic, so the juice of the black currant became known as an antiseptic, purifier of the blood and restorative of the nervous system, and an equally valuable remedy in anemia, malnutrition and general debility. Why? Because it is rich in vitamins and positive alkali and contains, among other mineral elements.

Parsley

Consider the lowly parsley once used only to give an added taste to food. Now we know that it is rich in Calcium, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin and Ascorbic Acid. It is recognized by many doctors as valuable in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Returning to the subject of herbs, their tinctures or other preparations of them. It was not so long ago that that their use as medicines was thought of as an old wives tale. There has been a decided change in this concept and many physicians are replacing the chemical and synthetic preparations with them. To learn more about the benefits of herbs, check out Herbal-Nutrition-Supplements-Guide.com.

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