The Linen Biennale first took place in 2018 to provide a platform for ‘conversations’ about linen, and the role it has played in shaping Northern Ireland. Celebrating our linen heritage was a major element of the 2018 biennale, as was a desire to explore how flax and linen is now inspiring artists, makers, designers, performers and manufacturers. 

Across the course of 80 events – including an international conference – thousands of visitors and contributors participated in a new ‘conversation’ about flax and linen – recalling, rethinking and reforming. Subsequent years have seen those conversations continue, but due to the pandemic it wasn’t until 2023 that a full-blown Linen Biennale NI was able to return. 

The Linen Biennale NI was founded by Robert Martin and Anthea McWilliams, co-founders and co-directors of R-Space Gallery in Lisburn.   

About the
Linen Biennale

Celebrating the past, inspiring the present, anticipating the future.

Our Linen Story

Linen is a fabric inextricably linked with Ireland and its social, agricultural and industrial heritage.

Ireland’s climate was ideal for flax cultivation, and linen was grown here from our early history. In the 17th century linen began to evolve, moving from a traditional cottage industry into the mass production of the 19th century when Ulster built a global reputation exporting the acres of fine linen across the world.  

The linen industry shaped the towns, cities and the countryside of Ulster, fields filled with flax, and linen mills with  their tall chimneys dominated the skylines. Belfast was dubbed ‘Linenopolis – shipbuilding expanded in response to export demands, transporting fabric around the world. A School of Design was founded in 1849 at the behest of linen manufacturers and the Royal Flax Improvement Society of Ireland, to reduce the dependence on buying patterns from abroad. The Belfast School of Art, as it would later be known, was attended by some of Northern Ireland’s greatest designers, artists, makers and academics.

The twentieth century saw the decline of Ulster’s linen industry as cotton’s popularity soared. The linen mills closed and fell into disrepair with only a tiny handful remaining. But in recent years, as our awareness of the significant ecological impact of cotton manufacture has grown, more sustainable fabrics are being sought out. Linen is seeing a real resurgence and is regarded as one of the most nature-friendly, low-impact and long-lasting materials available, with potential for use in manufacturing as well as a textile.

The future of flax and linen once again looks bright.

Previous Years

Since the inaugural Linen Biennale Northern Ireland of 2018, the team has worked hard to renew and revive discourse around the rich linen heritage of Northern Ireland. The Linen Biennale Northern Ireland 2018 focused on Recall, Rethink, Reform while the festival took an online approach in 2020 and 2021. Learn more about previous years below:

Lisburn

Lisburn sits at the heart of the historic Ulster Linen Triangle.

Today, it is the home of The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum. At its heart is the Lagan Valley Island, location of the Island Arts Centre, which was built on the site of the Island Mill Spinning Company.

R-Space Gallery at the Linen Rooms, is the headquarters of the Linen Biennale.

We believe that linen and flax should be central in the cultural regeneration of Lisburn. It is an authentic story with many facets, awaiting interpretation in new and innovative ways. Other cities who have embraced their own industrial and material heritage as cultural assets, have seen a growth in tourism, an increase in civic pride, and an impact on economic growth.

Meet The Team

  • Robert Martin

    R-SPACE CO-DIRECTOR

    R-Space Co-Director Robert Martin is an extremely experienced arts professional, having worked nationally and internationally offering creative solutions for a wide range of partnerships. Robert is a strategic thinker working across the public sector and creative industries with communication and networking skills with forethought, constructive action, attention to detail and perceptive creative delivery. Since moving to Northern Ireland to work with his co-director Anthea McWilliams , they established R-Space Gallery in 2011 as a community interest company presenting an exhibition programme of work by international, national and local artists.

  • Anthea McWilliams

    R-SPACE CO-DIRECTOR

    R-Space Co-Director Anthea McWilliams is a graduate of Middlesex University where she studied for an honours degree in Performance Arts (1984–87). A professional dance practitioner, Anthea has worked freelance in community dance in Northern Ireland since 1988 and now specialises in delivering dance projects for older people. She completed a Masters in Cultural Management with a distinction in 2001 at the University of Ulster thereafter establishing the Richard Wallace Trust (Lisburn) as a local charity celebrating the cultural and historical legacy of Lisburn's Sir Richard Wallace. Originally from Lisburn, Anthea inherited the once family home in Castle Street where she lived as a child and now co-owns with partner Robert Martin. The Georgian building, the former Rectory to Lisburn Cathedral is undergoing major refurbishment of which R-Space is a completed part, the remainder holds memories, history, potential, responsibility and hopefully space to live in once again.

  • Meadhbh McIlgorm

    PROGRAMME MANAGER

    Meadhbh McIlgorm is artist-maker of things and experiences.

    As a creative producer she has worked with many artists and arts organisions managing events, exhibitions, public engagement programes and profesional development opportunities. She studied Craft Design and History of Art (NCAD, 2013) and Arts Management (QUB, 2015). She is particularly passionate about materials, process and the skills associated with production, repair and reuse. Further info.

We are a small team of freelance professionals working together to present the Linen Biennale.

Special thanks the extended team working on the 2023 programme including:

Angela McMahon, Flow Communications – Project PR & Marketing
Rachel McMenemy, Moonlight Ventures – Project Evaluation
Francesca Bondi, R-Space Office Manager – Finance Support
Kathryn Graham, R-Space Gallery Assistant – Admin & Event Support
Fran Porter, Freelance Producer – Remote Content Creation & Admin Support
Ruairí Jordan, Ruairí Jordan Design – Graphic Design & Branding
Neal Campbell, Campbell Photography – Official Event Photographer