This is a powered linen loom for the weaving of linen sheets from yarn.
It originates from William Adams & Co. Donegall Road Weaving Factory, Belfast.
In the century from 1850, Belfast was the global centre of linen production, known as ‘linenopolis’.
In 1871, there were 78 linen mills in Belfast employing 43,000 people, mainly women and children.
Working the mill was hard, the hours were long and there were many health problems associated with working on the looms such as respiratory problems, hearing loss and industrial accidents.