As part of the Linen Biennale 2023 we are on a mission to co-create the longest linen tablecloth in Northern Ireland, maybe even the world! Since 2018 R-Space has been receiving donations of linen – tablecloths, napkins, tray cloths, tea towels, all valued family pieces but no longer used.

Visit us on Saturday 9th of September for European Heritage Open Day and see how far textile artist Emma Whitehead has gotten with the tablecloth. Stay and contribute your own mark to the project by adding your ‘Linen Memories’ in stitch or pen to the accompanying table runner – no sewing skills are needed to participate, all ages and abilities are welcome.

This is an open drop-in event, you can stay for as long as you like between 11am and 5pm or just call in to see what’s happening or to drop off a donation of unloved linen and have a look around. R-Space at the Linen Rooms is a fascinating building steeped in history. The three-story 18th century building was built by the Church of Ireland to serve as the Rectory to Lisburn Cathedral in the 1780s. Visitors will be able to hear some of the history from R-Space co-director Anthea McWilliams (neé Boyle) who’s father bought the building in 1953. The Boyle family called the building home until 1972.

If you plan to visit, please register via Eventbrite so we can manage numbers and keep a record of attendees and be able invite to future events and celebrations with the Long Linen Tablecloth.

Access

The event will take place upstairs in the Linen Rooms on the first floor. There is no step free access to the upper floors but the downstairs gallery is fully accessible where the September exhibition Plant Communitas: Linum. Flax/Linen Crossings will also be open to visitors.

Further info on European Heritgae Open Day here.