The third stop on our “Lost in Belfast” series is the city’s oldest cultural organization, The Linen Hall Library, located in an 18th-century building across the street from City Hall and a reminder of Belfast’s days as “Linenopolis” when it dominated the global linen trade.

Our conversation with director Julie Andrews delves into the library's rich history since its establishment in 1788, its role as a neutral space for political and cultural dialogue, and its extensive collections, including its signature Northern Ireland Political Collection of ephemera and artifacts gathered during The Troubles. “Politically, we show no allegiance. There’s something in our collection to offend everyone,” Julie says.

She shares insights into the library's innovative projects, ongoing initiatives to ensure the organization stays relevant, challenges inherent in operating a not-for-profit institution, the library's community engagement, its diverse events, and potential future expansions.

Join us at a beacon of Belfast history, The Linen Hall Library!

Links
The Linen Hall

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Julie Andrews

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Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 108

For the 2nd year in a row, Irish Stew hosts Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, the director of the Capital Irish Film Festival, who discusses the festival's offerings, the audience's response, and the challenges and rewards of organizing such an event in Washington, D.C.

Eva Birthistle joins John Lee and Martin Nutty to discuss her directorial debut, Kathleen Is Here, a gripping psychological thriller. The conversation explores the ideas behind the film, along with Eva's move to the other side of the camera.

The episode continues with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mary Robinson's story is brought to life in Mrs Robinson and will be the feature presentation on the first night of the film festival. Martin explores the former president's early background and her current efforts to address the climate crisis through Project Dandelion.

Film Links

• 19th Capital Irish Film Festival - (Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2025)
  
  
• Mrs Robinson
  
  
• Kathleen Is Here Preview
  
  

Mary Robinson Links

• Project Dandelion
  
  
• The Elders
  
  
• Wikipedia

Eva Birthistle Links

• Wikipedia Profile
  
  
• IMDB

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 4; Total Episode Count: 107

Gerry knows gin from his time behind the bar and from sipping his favorite tipple from the other side of the stick.

But he found his perfect gin, though he could imagine just how it would taste, a taste he finally captured in his now award-winning Jawbox Gin.

Join us as Gerry tells us how the idea for creating a gin just wouldn’t let him go, the Belfast stories behind the Jawbox name and striking logo design, how he managed to time the Jawbox launch just as the gin category was taking off, how The brand has soared through “Graft & Craft,” the origin of his signature Belfast Swerve—plenty of ice, a generous measure of Jawbox, a wedge of lime, all topped with a key ingredient Gerry proudly says was invented in Belfast.

He talks about the steady progress he sees in his city, how his hometown is becoming a “must-visit” city for tourists, the warmth they feel from the people of Belfast, and the “lovely new buzz in the city.”

Our juniper-forward friend from the Falls Road closes with his ”Seamus Plug” for Belfast’s amazing chefs and dedicated purveyors of fresh local food that have ignited Belfast’s dining scene.

All music to the ears of the folks at Tourism Ireland who helped make our “Irish Stew Gets Lost in Belfast Road Trip” possible! Chart your course to Belfast and beyond at https://discovernorthernireland.com

Links:
Jawbox Gin

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Gerry White

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Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 3; Total Episode Count: 106