An Cultúrlann commemorates the history of its building

Last Friday a new commemorative stained glass window was unveiled in Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich.

In a previous incarnation, the building now occupied by the culture centre on the Falls Road was Broadway Presbyterian Church. To mark the 30th anniversary since its last service, a stained glass window was designed by Windsor Women’s Group. (The church was also home to the Loyal Orange Lodge 824.)

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is named after two men. Robert Shipboy McAdam was a 19th century Presbyterian businessman who compiled a 1388-page English-Irish dictionary (which was never published) and made a large contribution to the study of ancient Irish. More recently, Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich was Roman Catholic Primate of all Ireland as well as an Irish scholar.

While the Presbyterian connection with Irish may have waned in recent times, the denomination’s links with Gaelic culture were once much stronger. Fitzroy Presbyterian host a regular Sunday afternoon service in Irish - An Tor ar Lasadh (The Burning Bush) - which is attended by speakers from across Belfast. [3pm on the third Sunday of every month except July and August.]

An Cultúrlann describes its ethos as "a non-political, independent mindset that values our language and culture as part of the common heritage of all the people", creating "a melting pot of cultures and a hotbed of ideas and innovation". (Not to mention a great wee café.)

More about the unveiling can be found in a report on Nuacht24.

Picture via Nuacht24