''The Linen Hall Library''

'The Linen Hall Library', is my favourite place in Belfast. Located just across from the City Hall in the City Centre, it's truly one of the jewels of Beal Feirste. Founded in 1792 by the 'United Irishman' Thomas Russell, it has connections with the aforesaid United Irishmen (this was the time when Belfast was known as ''The Athens of Ireland") and it was also in that year that the 'Harpists of Ireland' actually met and assembled within its walls - no mere claim to fame in itself! But before I continue, I'd like to talk about its founder, Thomas Russell; often called 'The Man from God knows where', because 'though a very captivating personality - who was hanged outside Downpatrick jail - he had an air of mysticism and could never be pinned down, so to speak! He defied caricature and stereotyping; he was very much an enigmatic character. But one thing that can be stated with certainty and moulded in stone is his vast intellect and his great pedigree as a Bibliophile! It's this, which is most striking about the Library itself: the tremendous archive of books it has, on History, Mythology, Antiquarian studies, Folklore etc which indisputably does justice to Russell's memory. One can obtain a Guest's pass and stay there as long as one wishes; I normally stay there all day and the time just wiles away...... Apart from this, architecturally, it's a lovely building and truly has history in the walls!! And finally, it has a very nice cafe/restaurant. If after visiting Belfast, you miss the 'Linen Hall Library', you have missed one of its authentic gems, much like when exploring a mystery you get to the outer shell but never get to the kernel of it! The Library is simply unmissable.