by Dolores Vischer, Creative Tours Belfast
Belfast’s Linen Quarter is named for the linen industry so important to our city’s history, which has so many links to the streets in this part of the city. From the late 1800s Belfast was one of the top linen producers in the world. Many of the city’s linen warehouses, finishing factories, business offices and even product showrooms were located in this area, to be close to the White Linen Hall. This key commercial exchange had opened from 1798, on the site of what is now Belfast City Hall.
The linen trade played a pivotal role in the social and economic development of Belfast. The manufacture of linen was the catalyst that allowed it to grow from a town into the region’s pre-eminent city. It grew most rapidly during the 1860s as industrialisation and advances in machinery really took off. By the end of the 19th century Belfast was the linen capital of the world. Indeed, it was nicknamed Linenopolis. The revenue generated by the linen industry was an important factor in Queen’ Victora granting it city status in 1888 on her Golden Jubilee.
The ’Exploring the Linen Quarter’ tour on Saturday 29th March, will recount ‘yarns’ about the linen heritage of this district and its historic buildings. Guests will hear for example about the no longer seen White Linen Hall, the very reason why the linen businesses set up close to it, that was demolished to make way for the current Belfast City Hall. Stories will be shared about other historic buildings some with linen connections, including the Ormeau Baths, St Malachy’s Church, the BBC and more.
But there is a lot more to this area than its linen connections. Along the gentle 90-minute stroll, guests will also hear about key moments connected to the district’s great entertainment and hospitality venues, from the Ulster Hall and The Limelight, to The Crown Bar and the Grand Opera House. Plus, their guide will point out at colourful new street artworks, statues, architectural details and more. There’s plenty to find out about this vibrant area of Belfast today!
Tales will be shared too about some individuals who have left their mark. For example, the Ewart family that built up one of our most successful linen dynasties, remembered now in the magnificently renovated Ewart building. The third William Ewart, who was born in 1817, and died in 1889, witnessed in his lifetime the transformation of the linen industry. He was involved in the key changes in the production processes of linen – from a largely rural and cottage industry to a highly industrialised big mill industry. He saw Belfast grow rapidly in population and be granted city status. This William Ewart expanded the Ewart linen interests. They owned a mill on the Crumlin Rd from the 1840s, a Bleaching works at Glenbank, bought in 1853, and expanded by taking over other smaller less enterprising Belfast linen companies. This was how they acquired the Ewart Building, which had been owned by the Bedford St Weaving company.
Find out more about the linen quarter past and present on this fun and informative tour.
’Exploring the Linen Quarter’ starts outside the Ulster Hall in Bedford Street on Saturday 29th March at 11.00am. You can book tickets here.
