SquaresRenew 3: Linen Hall and an old friend

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Sign at the entrance to the Linen Hall Library

We spent a very enjoyable first morning in Belfast at the Linen Hall Library. Founded in 1788 as the Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge, it is the oldest library in Belfast and the only remaining subscription library in Ireland. I loved the old signage at the entrance.

Visiting interesting libraries is obviously one of my things, but this time I had another purpose – to renew my friendship with Sam, the Librarian. We worked together in Glasgow in the mid-1990s but have had only sporadic contact since she returned to her native Northern Ireland. Sam was very generous with her time, gave us a fascinating tour, and showed us some of the library’s treasures, but the best bit was the way the years fell away as we chatted.

Sam and Anabel – let’s not leave it another 30 years!

Part of Becky’s SquaresRenew Challenge, using images from our April 2024 trip to Northern Ireland to illustrate one or more of the following:

  • Move forward
  • Reconstruct
  • Renew
  • Burgeoning
Northern Ireland, UK , ,

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  2. Pingback: A Belfast miscellany – The Glasgow Gallivanter

  4. Hi Anabel – oh gosh … I couldn’t agree more – and a second trip to that library would be special – amazing looking place. I’m jealous!! Cheers – sounds like a great catch up – Hilary

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  6. A great photo of the two of you. It’s always good to reconnect with old friends and the library looks lovely.

    I have a friend I met 50 years ago, we can go for months or even years without contact but when we do meet up it’s like we only spoke to each other yesterday.

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  13. That’s the thing about close friendships, it’s like just yesterday when you get together again. I wondered why it’s called The Linen Hall and had a look on the website but couldn’t find anything. I wonder if the building was used as a cloth hall at some time.

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