In the Autumn of 1786 extracts from three poems under the heading ‘Fragments of Scotch Poetry’ appeared in the Belfast Newsletter. No author was named for these fragments; nor was any of the fragments identified by the title of the poem from which it was taken. Later, the Belfast Evening Post published under the heading ‘Scotch Poetry’ a poem entitled ‘To a youth on his entering the world’. Although it carried a title, again no author was given. The author of the poetry in both newspapers was Robert Burns.
Thanks to former Governor Andrew Gibson (1841-1931) The Linen Hall has one of the largest collections of Robert Burns outside of Scotland. Amassed towards the end of the 19th century, it was acquired for the city of Belfast in 1901 by public subscription and placed in The Linen Hall. With generous funding from the Department for Communities, we are delighted to shine a light on this expansive and historically significant collection, and to explore the wider influences of Robert Burns present in the poetry of our early Belfast and Provincial printed books, and Ulster-Scots collection.
Contributors will bring these collections to life by telling the fascinating stories of those who influenced Robert Burns, his popularity in Belfast and beyond, and enduring influence and relevance – from the Weaver poets to contemporary writers emulating his universal themes of love and nature, and language of everyday life. Spotlighting rare and unique volumes which have been digitally scanned for preservation, and conserved for posterity, ‘Fragments of Scotch Poetry’ is an inspiring insight into the social, historical, and linguistic importance of the poetry in the Linen Hall’s collections.


The Gibson Collection of Robert Burns
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FAREWELL TO THE LONG-LOVED SHORE:
EMIGRATION IN THE ANDREW GIBSON COLLECTION
by Linde Lunney
Andrew Gibson’s marvellous collection of Burnsiana and books of poetry written by Ulster authors is a two-way or even a three-way mirror. It reflects something of the collector, his background and his interests, and it reflects a view of the world within which Gibson lived. It also shows us something of the world within which a large number of Ulster poets experienced their lives.



Scotia’s poets – influences on Robert Burns
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Robert Burns in print
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WeAVING WORDS
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A voice for the oppressed: James Orr (1770-1816)
Dr. Carol Baraniuk
(University of Glasgow)
Born in 1770, a weaver by trade, Orr grew up in the County Antrim village of Ballycarry, a delightful spot, site of the romantic, ruined Templecorran church, which enjoys magnificent views across the Irish Sea to Scotland. Orr’s era used to be routinely defined as an ‘age of revolutions’.
Highlights

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My Native Tongue
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