Belfast’s Linen Hall Library receives £175,000 emergency funding from the City Council despite Sinn Féin’s opposition.
Representatives called the fund a “saving” action, with some noting the library faces an “emergency.” The library requested funds on January 27, away from the public eye.
The Linen Hall Library’s request was under “restricted items.” The council hasn’t shared details of the meeting. Meeting minutes showed two votes occurred. Sinn Féin wanted to refuse the library’s request, but the refusal failed by a vote of eight to ten.
Alliance and SDLP proposed the funding. It was a one-off £175,000 investment to help Linen Hall Library continue operating and develop a new, more sustainable business model. The funding passed with eleven votes in favor and eight against.
Sinn Féin’s Ronan McLaughlin spoke against the funding. He highlighted that the organization sought £175,000 from the council without a formal application, instead writing a letter to the Chief Executive, who then sent it to a committee.
McLaughlin questioned this use of funds, citing a lack of open process and transparency. He pointed out the council already has a discretionary funding structure where organizations openly show their needs, receive scores, and then funding. He also acknowledged Linen Hall’s importance.
McLaughlin asked about equality. He questioned why other groups, who wrote to the Chief Executive and were denied, got directed to other funding. He cautioned more requests are coming as Sinn Féin will keep objecting to the funding.
Alliance’s Sam Nelson supports the funding. He feels this saves the institution and is not treating them differently. He stated they will use spare discretionary scheme money to aid the Library in staying afloat, noting the open call for funds occurred twice already.
Nelson stated there is now unspent money. He emphasized this urgent request saves an important city institution. The Linen Hall Library helped shape Belfast, led Enlightenment thought, and has cultural value and history. It is now in need, and the council can assist it.
Nelson stated re-allocating funds is routine. He noted the council supported other groups before, helping them become sustainable. Losing the library would be tragic, as the funding is vital for Belfast.
DUP’s Sarah Bunting agreed with Nelson’s comments. She recognized the Linen Hall Library’s significance, saying it gave historical and cultural value over 200 years. This is their first request of this type, Bunting said, and the support helps them make a new plan that ensures future independence, noting council funds are for smaller requests and denying fund would be detrimental to the city.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie spoke on hypocrisy. He respects the organization; however, other proposals faced issues. He gave examples such as Belfast Hills being told to use a set fund and West Wellbeing who couldn’t apply through the set process.
Beattie described a partnership that sought to purchase a derelict building to fight poverty and create jobs, but they didn’t get a committee hearing. He pointed out another group got £176,000 with no problem and without any due diligence.
Beattie stated the council’s funding lacked equality, accusing some parties of selectively applying rules. SDLP Councillor Carl Whyte supported the fund, while deeming the library’s request method “misguided”. Green Party, UUP, and PBP also support the fund.
