Choose Ireland » Libraries

Linen Hall Library, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:39:56 +0000

On the northwest corner of Donegal Square sits the Linen Hall Library, a private collection founded in 1788 and housed in a building designed by Charles Lanyon. This is the last subscribing library in Ireland as well as the oldest library in the city of Belfast.
The interior is beautifully decorated by a variety of Belfast artworks, including paintings and prints, many of which are available for purchase.
Many of the documents in the library’s Irish and Local Studies collection chronicle the events of the Troubles, in fact, at more than 80,000 documents, the Linen Hall Library holds perhaps the most extensive collection of information on the subject.
The history of the library chronicles the story of one of its first librarians, a man named Thomas Russell, who was connected with an uprising in 1803 and ultimately hanged for his involvement.
The Linen Hall Library offers a variety of services, and prides itself on being a centre for culture and learning. A schedule of events and exhibits is available.

Queen’s University, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:35:22 +0000

Founded in 1849 and named after Queen Victoria, Queen’s University began as three colleges, located in Belfast, Galway and Cork. They became one university in 1908 when the Colleges and the Royal University were replaced by the Queen’s University of Belfast and also the National University of Ireland.
The first class of students numbered about 90. They attended classes in the main buildings, located just a few minutes’ walk from Donegal Square and the center of the city of Belfast. Designed by Charles Lanyon, they were fashioned from red and yellow brick, in a Tudor style that resembles Magdalene College at Oxford.
The main building, also known as the Lanyon Building, features three towers, large windows made of lead glass and imposing ornamentation. It is a familiar backdrop, often used as a background for films and news reports about Belfast
The University Visitors Centre is located in the Lanyon Building. It provides services for visitors and alumni, displays historical items related to the University, and offers a variety of souvenirs. The centre features a schedule of exhibits and presentations designed to enrich the entire community.
Also nearby: University Square and the Seamus Haney Library named for the poet from Ulster who won the Nobel Prize in 1997.
Today’s Queen’s University is made up of over 300 buildings, many of which are historically significant. The student body numbers near the 24,000 mark.

Adare Village

Michael Heraghty — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:15:00 +0000

Situated along the banks of the River Maigue, this picturesque little village provides a truly enjoyable experience for all visitors. It features pretty thatched cottages, medieval churches covered in ivy, and gardens blooming in a variety of colors. Although the cottages are medieval in appearance as well, they were actually erected by the third Earl of Dunraven, who had a great interest in early Irish architecture, for his estate tenants in the mid 19th century.
At the centre of the estate stands the imposing presence of Adare Manor. This stately, Tudor-Gothic revival mansion was built in 1832 and was formerly the family home of the Dunravens. It now serves as a renowned luxury hotel.
When you take a guided walking tour of Adare (available during the tourist season), you’ll find that some of the cottages are actually fully equipped shops, offering a variety of antiques and Irish craft items, including beautiful sweaters and other knitwear. You can also visit the heraldry shop and find information and merchandise related to your family’s genealogical roots.
The Adare Heritage Center is filled with exhibited items covering the period from AD 1233 to the present day. Models, enactments, and audiovisuals tell the story of the area’s history. Exhibitions of traditional music and dance are available at scheduled times, and you can avail of the café, shops, and library located here.
Adare Village also contains a variety of ruins to explore, including those of a castle on the riverbanks, a Franciscan friary from 1464 and the Desmond family chapel from the 15th century.
Near the bridge across the River Maigue, you can see the remains of a 14th century Augustinian friary, which became a Church of Ireland parish facility in 1875. The refectory was transformed into a school and its cloisters later used as mausoleums.
Getting There
Adare is situated about 18 kilometres southwest of Limerick City, on the N21 Limerick-Tralee route.