Boston College collection of Belfast and Ulster theater and arts

Collection

Identifier: MS-2004-027

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1905-1995, undated

Scope and Content

This collection documents cultural life in Belfast and Ulster throughout the 20th century with ephemera created by educational, theatrical, and community groups, as well as fraternal organizations. Some of the material was generated by amateur theatrical endeavors, such as the Instonian Dramatic Society, and others by professional companies, such as the Abbey Theatre and the Lyric Players Theatre. Included are programs, reviews, invitations, menus, and brochures, and the radio transcript of a concert broadcast.

Creator

Lyric Players Theatre (Belfast, Northern Ireland) (Organization)
Ulster Arts Club (Organization)
Instonians Dramatic Society (Organization)
Linen Hall Library (Belfast, Northern Ireland) (Organization)

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Historical note

The Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge (now known as the Linen Hall Library) was founded in 1788 to promote arts and culture in the city of Belfast.

The Instonians Dramatic Society was formed by the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

The Lyric Players Theatre was founded in Belfast in 1951. It was Northern Ireland's only professional repertory theatre at that time.

The Municipal Technical Institute, Belfast was founded in 1906 and is now known as Belfast Metropolitan College. It played an important part in fostering arts and culture in Belfast.

Ulster Actors Company was a theatrical company founded by Roy Heayberd in the 1970s.

The Ulster Arts Club was founded in 1902 by local artists and enthusiasts, and it organized exhibitions and art-related events in the city.

Sources

"About Us - Linen Hall Library," Linen Hall Library, accessed February 7, 2019, https://linenhall.com/about-us/.

"History of Belfast Met," Belfast Met, accessed February 7, 2019, https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/about-us/history-of-the-college/.

"History," The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, accessed February 7, 2019, http://rbai.org.uk/page/History,-Aims-Ethos/4794/Index.html.

"Lyric Players Theatre," The Conicise Oxford Companion to the Theatre 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 1996.

"Ulster Arts Club," Artist Biographies: British and Irish Artists of the 20th Century, accessed February 7, 2019, https://www.artbiogs.co.uk/2/organizations/ulster-arts-club.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 container)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection documents cultural life in Belfast and Ulster throughout the 20th century with ephemera created by educational, theatrical, and community groups, as well as fraternal organizations.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by material type.

Provenance

Purchased from Emerald Isle Books (2004).

Related Materials

Abbey Theatre collection, MS.1986.135, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Lyric Players Theatre collection, MS.2002.020, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Theater programs collection, MS.2011.024, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Separated Materials

Published works associated with this collection have been transferred within the Burns Library and can be found in the Boston College Library catalog.