The Northern Ireland Political Collection in the Linen Hall Library is recognised internationally as the definitive archive of the Troubles and peace process.

This unique and important collection has grown from one single-page Civil Rights leaflet in 1968 to over 250,000 individual items, comprising newspapers, magazines, leaflets, pamphlets, Government publications, manuscripts and artefacts including one of the most effective of propaganda media – the Political Poster.

>>To purchase one the images in our gallery CLICK HERE<<

As part of the Library’s on-going commitment to enhance knowledge, preserve its original material, and “excite a spirit of general enquiry”, it has recently digitized a selection of these “troubled images” which are now accessible online. These posters document and illustrate this turbulent period in our recent history, and are extremely important, not only in terms of their historical significance, but also in their artistic style. They reflect all sides of the conflict and remind us of times of great tragedy as well as moments of hope.

The political posters range in theme from the Republican “Smash H Block” poster to the Loyalist image of a Bank of England Five Pound note with the image of Gusty Spence, UVF leader, on the front. International contributions include the French “Irlande du Nord – Guerre Coloniale en Europe” and the American “St. Patrick’s Day in America 17 March, 1982”. Most poignant is the poster “ God Says Thou Shalt Not Kill – Exodus 20:13” published by the Bible Crusade Against Terrorism.

“Troubled Images” is the latest addition to the Linen Hall Library Gallery on the Belfast Telegraph Photosales website. Also digitally available is the Library’s vintage Postcard Collection which features over 6000 images of Ireland in bygone days. Alongside these are a selection of antiquarian Irish maps and a number of 18th Century cartoons and caricatures.