Talks & Tours

In lieu of a conference, the 2023 Linen Biennale will include a range of short lectures and half-day seminars from August through to October.  

These online and in person talks will be curated around the following sub-themes:

Material

Environment

Industry

Narrative

Linen Mills at Risk with Sebastian Graham
11th August 2023, The Linen Hall, Belfast

Here from Sebastian Graham from Ulster Architectural Heritage on the legacy of our post-industrial Mills.

A Dress for Kathleen reading by Heather Richardson
15th September 2023, The Linen Hall, Belfast

Book reading and talk by author and textile artist Heather Richardson.

McCaw Allan: History of a Lurgan Linen Company with Fiona McKelvie
29th August 2023, The Courtyard, Brownlow House, Lurgan

Talk by linen researcher and archivist Fiona McKelvie, which accompanied the exhibition 'McCaw Allan – A Tea Towel Collection'.

Plant Communitas: Linum. Flax/Linen Crossings with Patricia Brien
2nd September 2023, R-Space Gallery, Lisburn

Patricia Brien artist and curator discusses ‘Plant Communitas: Linum. Flax/Linen Crossings’ Group exhibition on show from the 2nd–30th September 2023.

Artist & Curator Talk – Ilka White & Geoff Diego Litherland
9th September 2023, Online

Artist and curator talk to accompany ‘Plant Communitas: Linum Flax/Linen Crossings’ Group Exhibition at R-Space Gallery curated by Patricia Brien.

The Alchemy of Print with Trish Belford
7th October 2023, R-Space Gallery, Lisburn

Artist talk to accompany ‘The Alchemy of Print’ presents an exceptional body of work by Trish Belford, encompassing new processes as well as designs created for famous fashion UK fashion designers. Exhibition at R-Space Gallery Oct 7th – Nov 3rd.

Something Old, Something New with Professor Jane McCann.

Sept 12th at the Sir Hans Sloan Centre, Killyleagh.

Sustainable textile expert Jane McCann on her resherch and career including her ongoing collaboration with the Finish artist Sirpa Mörsky. .

Fibre Networks – Growing Connections for Northern Ireland with Fibershed Ireland
20th September 2023, Ulster Museum, Belfast

Speakers: Fibershed Ireland: Chairperson, Malú Colorín and member Ecoartivist, Kathy Kirwan. Fibrevolution Co-founder & CEO – Shannon Welsh (associate of Pacific Northwest Fibershed, USA). Discussion Host. Gawain Morrison of Brink!

Lynne Hocking Exhibition & PRONI Guide to Textile Sources Seminar
19th October 2023, Online

As an accompaniment to Lynne Hocking’s exhibition ‘Intergenerational Connections’, and to mark the launch of a new Guide to PRONI Sources on the Ulster Textile Industry, PRONI held an online seminar on Linen, Textiles and Design in Northern Ireland. Speakers: Lynne Hocking, Dr Catherine O’Hara, Dr Desmond McCabe.

Design & Modernity at The Old Bleach Linen Company with Dr. Catherine O’Hara
16th August 2023, The Linen Hall, Belfast

Dr. Catherine O’Hara talks design and the legacy of The Old Bleach Linen Company.

Artists Talk – Amanda Coppes-Martin and Bridget Kennedy
16th September 2023, Online

Artist and curator talk to accompany ‘Plant Communitas: Linum Flax/Linen Crossings’ Group Exhibition at R-Space Gallery curated by Patricia Brien.

Linen: a material inHERitance with Laura Wilson and Amy Anderson
4th October 2023, Ulster Museum, Belfast

Speakers: Laura Wilson (visual artist). Amy Anderson (creative director, Kindred of Ireland clothing brand). Discussion host: Jill Phillips (designer and researcher).

Listen Again

If you weren’t able to make our some of our wonderful talks, a selection were recorded and are available to listen again here.

Woven Hug 2.0 Panel Discussion
29th June 2023, Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart

Reflecting upon how participatory textile art can foster more sustainable practices.

Past Events

Featured
The Alchemy of Print: Artist Talk
Oct 28
The Alchemy of Print: Artist Talk

Renowned designer Trish Belford will be talking about her research and design project behind her new exhibition The Alchemy of Print at R-Space Gallery.

Dirty Linen: Martin Doyle in Conversation
Oct 26
Dirty Linen: Martin Doyle in Conversation

Martin Doyle, Books Editor of The Irish Times, will be discussing his much-anticipated book Dirty Linen with Jason Diamond. Martin, who grew up in Lawrencetown, Co. Down, writes about the terrible toll the Troubles took in his parish, Tullylish, and birthplace, Banbridge, once the heartland of the Linen Triangle but also more recently part of the Murder Triangle.

Irish Linen – A Heritage Fabric with a Future
Oct 24
Irish Linen – A Heritage Fabric with a Future

Fiona Mc Kelvie explores Linen as we know it and its future possibilities in the World of Flax.


Textile and linen expert Fiona McKelvie will be discussing linen’s heritage in Northern Ireland, and its recent renaissance. She will look at the future possibilities of the fabric and how linen been reassessed more recently, and valued for its sustainability, durability and beauty.

Linen, Textiles and Design in Northern Ireland
Oct 19
Linen, Textiles and Design in Northern Ireland

As an accompaniment to Lynne Hocking’s exhibition Intergenerational Connections, and to mark the launch of a new Guide to PRONI Sources on the Ulster Textile Industry, PRONI is holding an online seminar on Linen, Textiles and Design in Northern Ireland.

The Linen Mills of Northern Ireland and Shrigley Mill. With Sebastian Graham
Oct 17
The Linen Mills of Northern Ireland and Shrigley Mill. With Sebastian Graham

Sebastian Graham, an expert in the architecture and built heritage of Ulster’s linen industry will be providing an overview of history of the linen mills of Northern Ireland, looking particularly at those within County Down and Shrigley Mill, which, in its day had been one of the most important mills in Ireland.

Linen: Material InHERitance
Oct 4
Linen: Material InHERitance

Join female creative professionals who have come to linen for differnt perspecitves Laura Wilson (fine art) and Amy Anderson (fashion design). Both will intorduce their work and join a discussion on material and inheritance hosted by Jill Philps.

Linenopolis: Flax & Linen Heritage of Belfast
Sep 27
Linenopolis: Flax & Linen Heritage of Belfast

In this illustrated talk with textile expert Fiona Mckelvie you will hear more about the importance of linen to the growth of the city, the plant which provided the yarn to weave the linen and the buildings where the cloth was made, embellished, and traded.

Tim Parry Williams – Beyond Production
Sep 23
Tim Parry Williams – Beyond Production

Tim Parry-Williams presents his research and interpretation of two distinct yet related Northern Irish industries of linen and ceramic production as part of his ongoing Dinner Service project

Fibre Networks – Growing Connections for Northern Ireland
Sep 20
Fibre Networks – Growing Connections for Northern Ireland

Hear about the successes and challenges faced by various Fibershed collectives and consider how we can continue to grow a more sustainable fibre networks in Northern Ireland.

Linen in Lisburn – A Walking Tour
Sep 16
Linen in Lisburn – A Walking Tour

Come join us for a walking tour covering the legacy of Linen in Lisburn and Lagan Valley with historian and accredited tour guide John Bradbury.

A Dress For Kathleen
Sep 15
A Dress For Kathleen

Heather Richardson, who originally stitched details of Kathleen’s life into the fabric of a dress she made as a tribute to her, now tells her story for the first time in her new book ‘A Dress for Kathleen’

Something Old – Something New with Jane McCann
Sep 12
Something Old – Something New with Jane McCann

A talk by Prof Jane Mc Cann on the Linen Exhibition - textile production past and present, the future textile use and appeal.

European Heritage Open Day at R-Space at the Linen Rooms
Sep 9
European Heritage Open Day at R-Space at the Linen Rooms

Join us in co-createing the longest linen tablecloth in Northern Ireland, maybe even the world - on European Heritage Open Day

McCaw Allan: History of a Lurgan Linen Company & Its Tea Towel Collection
Aug 29
McCaw Allan: History of a Lurgan Linen Company & Its Tea Towel Collection

Join us for this special presentation by linen archivist and researcher Fiona McKelviewhich will explore and celebrate the history of McCaw Allan (now part of the Samuel Lamont Group), a textile firm founded in1904, which is the last survivor of over 30 linen businesses that formerly operated in Lurgan that together established the town as a leading centre of linen manufacturer in Ulster.

Linen Industry in Belfast with Gerard Muldoon
Aug 23
Linen Industry in Belfast with Gerard Muldoon

Step into the heart of Belfast's renowned "Linen District" and witness the remarkable journey from flax to fabric with Industrial Archaelogist Gerard Muldoon.

Linen Industry in Belfast with Gerard Muldoon
Aug 16
Linen Industry in Belfast with Gerard Muldoon

Discover the fascinating aspects of linen production, its cultural significance, and the long-standing association with kingship and priesthood with Industrial Archaelogist Gerard Muldoon.

Design & Modernity at The Old Bleach Linen Company
Aug 16
Design & Modernity at The Old Bleach Linen Company

Join us as we explore the pivotal role that design played in shaping one of Ulster’s most illustrious linen firms with Dr Catherine O’Hara.

Fibre to Fabric Seminar
Aug 16
Fibre to Fabric Seminar

Join researchers Alison Gault and Anna Duffy, and guests, for an interactive seminar on the innovative project aiming to restore Northern Ireland's textile heritage and promote a sustainable future.

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