Linenopolis: Flax & Linen Heritage of Belfast

Between 1870 and 1914 Belfast was the city at the heart of Ireland’s undisputed reputation as the home of linen production. This reputation earned it the name ‘Linenopolis’. In this illustrated talk 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. The creativity and hard work of so many people lives on in references to flax and linen on the magnificent facades of some of the cities’ buildings. 

ABOUT FIONA MCKELVIE

Textile specialist Fiona McKelvie has had a career in textiles for more than 30 years, much of that time with Liberty of London. Originally from Belfast, she has a particular interest in Irish Linen, collecting since the 1970s.  Fascinated by the history and heritage of the industry Fiona has spent many years researching the connections and legacy of Irish linen, flax and textiles.  In 2013, she launched her website McBurneyandBlack.com, specialising in the sale of antique and vintage Irish linens. She has contributed to the British Textile Biennial via the Cloth Cultures podcast with Amber Butchart and worked closely with R-Space Gallery in Lisburn on the heritage aspects of the first Northern Ireland Linen Biennale in 2018. She has recently returned from London to live permanently in Co Down.