Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum
The Museum aims to collect, safeguard and interpret artefacts and information relating to the Irish linen industry and the history of Lisburn and the Lagan Valley.
Explore Ireland’s industrial heritage in the Museum’s award-winning exhibition ‘Flax to Fabric: the Story of Irish Linen’. Trace the history of linen production in Ulster, from the earliest times to the present, and see live spinning and weaving demonstrations. The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum’s galleries also feature a range of temporary and visiting exhibitions, featuring: the history of Lisburn, and its people; local artists, from Blackshaw to Mcloy; textile and linen display; local poets, writers and personalities.
The Irish Linen Centre Offers:
- FREE guided tours exploring the history of Irish Linen
- History of Lisburn
- Expert guides, and live demos of weaving and spinning
- FREE workshops, from WWI to Ancient Egypt. The Museum makes an ideal day out for groups, schools and community groups.
- Great museum shop, stocked with linen and local history books
- Surrounded by fantastic places to eat
- Research service
- World-class collections
FAST Museum
The Farnborough Museum presents a selection from the FAST collection in the setting of a historic listed building. The Museum building dates from 1908 and was built as the headquarters of the Royal Engineers Balloon School. It is superbly located on a hill overlooking the runway of Fanborough Airfield – so modern planes can be seen in the air as well as historic planes on display in and around the Museum building.
The Museum is managed by the Trustees of FAST and the day to day running is in the capable hands of the volunteers of the FAST Association who undertake the archiving, restoration, maintenance and display activities, as well as maintaining off-site storage facilities and providing guides and a lecture service.
In the Musuem you can see photographs and exhibits from the early years of aviation and important pieces of aviation history, like Sir Frank Whittle’s earliest jet engines, a full size replica of the Cody Flyer and research models of Concorde. You can watch demonstrations of a working wind tunnel, take part in a flight simulation and much, much more!
Ionad Naomh Moluag / Lismore Museum
When this innovative, eco friendly building at Aonad Naomh Moluag (the gathering place of St Moluag) was opened on 17 March 2007 it once more put the Gaelic language and culture at the heart of Lismore. After 13 years of hard work, members of the Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor broke the silence that had been imposed on the island’s culture when English became the language of advancement and the Gaelic language and culture were encouraged to die. Until this time the Comann Eachdraidh Archive, which was being painstakingly put together, had been housed 2 miles away in the old school house at Achnacroich.
The first turf was turned by Duncan MacGregor on 15 February 2006 his parents having donated the land. The building was designed by Shauna Cameron and built by Stuart Carmichael with Tony Perkins the local Nadair Project Officer. It has a grass roof and geo thermal heating and houses an Exhibition Area, a Library, an Archive room, a Gift Shop, a Café, an office, and toilets. For a population of 176 to handle a £600,000 project is a tribute to the skill, determination and cohesiveness of the whole community.
The Museum is the hub of the centre with informative displays about the history of Lismore’s landscape, industry, agriculture and population. At any one time some part of the objects’ archive are on display. In addition there is a continuing series of major exhibitions every year as well as a flow of special events such as lectures, performances, book launches, art exhibitions etc. An audio visual display tells the story of the Sailing Smacks of Lismore and information boards trace the history and works of Alexander Carmichael the island’s folklorist son.
Read MoreEbbw Vale Works
The General Office a Grade 2 Listed Building is occupied by the Ebbw Vale Works Museum, the Gwent Archives and Blaenau Gwent Borough Council Management Team.
Visitors to the Ebbw Vale Works Museum will find a eclectic collection of artefacts and archived material covering the evolution and development of coal, iron and steelmaking in the area from 1790 to the works closure in 2002 and its subsequent demolition.
The Museum also provides access to a considerable amount of material relating to the social aspect of the lives of the community.
The committee of the Museum wish to thank Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Tata Steel, Welsh Assembly-CyMAL-Federation of Museums and Art Galleries Wales, the Association of Independent Museums and all visitors to the museum, past, present and future for their continued support.
Read MoreStrawberry Hill House
Strawberry Hill House’s story begins in 1747, when Horace Walpole discovered and purchased ‘Chopp’d Straw Hall’, one of the last remaining sites available on the banks of the Thames in fashionable Twickenham. He set about transforming what was then a couple of cottages into his vision of a ‘little Gothic castle’ with pinnacles, battlements and a round tower. Thus Strawberry Hill House was born – the House became a tourist attraction in Walpole’s lifetime and beyond.
Built as Walpole’s summer residence, the castle (or villa) soon became of interest to local inhabitants. Walpole allowed four visitors a day – with tours conducted by his house-keeper – and published rules for their guidance (no children allowed). Walpole also delighted in entertaining foreign ambassadors, royalty and English aristocracy, several of whom were near neighbours: ‘Dowagers like flounders inhabit all around,’ he wrote.
Read MoreKirkstall Abbey
Uncover the history of one of the best preserved medieval Cistercian abbeys in Britain. With its beautiful and iconic ruins, award-winning Park and interactive visitor centre Kirkstall Abbey is a place that visitors of all ages can enjoy. The ruins are a unique example of early Christian architecture. From the majesty of the church to the peace of the cloisters enjoy exploring this iconic Leeds landmark. The story of the abbey and its community is explored in the Visitor Centre. Founded over 800 years ago in 1152 discover more about what life was like for the Cistercian monks who lived here for nearly 400 years. Enjoy the abbey’s parkland setting next to the River Aire. Take a walk along the river or enjoy a picnic in our spacious grounds. There is also a small playground near to the car park for the little ones to enjoy. The ruins of the abbey provide a breath-taking background to your wedding photography, blessings, vow renewals and baby naming ceremonies.
Read MoreThe Royal Mint Museum
The Royal Mint Museum was established as a company limited by guarantee in December 2009 and secured charitable status in November 2010. Its aims are to advance the education of the public in the history of coins and medals, and the history of The Royal Mint.
It seeks to achieve its aims through the maintenance, display, interpretation and publication of its unique collections of coins, medals and seals, as well as artwork, plaster models, master tools and dies.
Plans are being developed to facilitate greater access to the collection through education and outreach programmes, through exhibitions in the local area and nationally, through the creation of a comprehensive online catalogue and through a programme of publications.
The Museum celebrated its 200th Anniversary in February 2016, a few months later theRoyal Mint Experience was completed, with a major feature being a large exhibition area featuring hundreds of objects from the Museum’s collection.
When the Royal Mint Museum was established as a company limited by guarantee in December 2009, another company was established at the same time, wholly owned by the Museum, called Royal Mint Museum Services.
Through this company historical and numismatic advice is offered to The Royal Mint in support of its commercial activities and support is also offered to HM Treasury in discharging its responsibility to manage the United Kingdom coinage.
Read MoreBrynmawr and District Museum
Brynmawr Museum was created by the community and the inaugural meeting of the society was held on 4th September 2002, and the official opening of the Museum took place in temporary premises on the first floor of the then Haven Discount Store, Market Square 7th June 2003.
Having been allocated permanent premises by the County Borough Council on the first floor of the former Carnegie Library, the Museum closed its temporary premises on 27th September, 2003, and re-opened in its new location on 6th December 2003, sharing the building with the Council’s Open Learning Centre, which was then located on the ground floor.
When the Learning Action Centre moved to its current premises, the County Borough Council agreed to lease the whole of the Carnegie Building to the Museum and also to refurbish the ground floor prior to occupation by the museum. The Council had already refurbished the first floor for occupation by the Museum.
The Museum was again closed for a short time whilst refurbishment took place. It re-opened on 27th July, 2006.
During the period from inauguration to final occupation of the whole of the Carnegie Library building, and, indeed, until the present time, the Society has been fortunate in obtaining grants from various bodies and donations from private individuals, which has enabled the purchase of display cases, furniture and equipment.
There is a strong community involvement, and the museum is totally run by volunteers,with Patrons and Vice-Presidents and an active Archive Group, to date, membership of the society consist of vice presidents and patrons, and each year membership averages 125.
Since the Museum opened, visitors average 4,000+ per year, many from overseas and many “ex pats”. A good number, as the museum is only open 13 hours a week!!
Read MoreFiring Line Museum of the Welsh Soldier
Firing Line Museum is an accredited museum that celebrates the Welsh soldier over a period of 300 years; a time which saw ordinary Welshmen travel the world, carrying out military service at battles such as Waterloo (1815) and Rorke’s Drift (1879), and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Using hands-on and dressing up activities, informative permanent and temporary displays and educational events, the museum stands as a testament to the extraordinary contributions made by ordinary Welshmen to their Regiments (1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh), to history and to Wales.
Read MoreMShed
See amazing film and photographs, listen to moving personal stories, encounter rare and quirky objects and add your own memories of Bristol through the interactive displays. From prehistoric times to the present day, M Shed tells the story of the city and its unique place in the world.
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