Hillsborough Castle, a grand Georgian country house in Hillsborough, County Down, sits within 100 acres of gardens and grounds open to the public.
History
Built in the early-to-mid 18th century as a country house for Wills Hill, later 1st Marquess of Downshire, Hillsborough Castle became a centre of political entertaining and, eventually, a genuine seat of governance. King George IV visited during his 1821 tour of Ireland, and the 20th century saw it serve as the official residence of the Governor-General of Northern Ireland. Today, it’s the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and remains a working venue for political talks - most significantly, discussions held there in the leadup to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020, following the collapse of power-sharing in early 2017.
Architecture
The castle’s Georgian facade, with its symmetrical windows and carved stone pediment, opens onto grand staterooms with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, showcasing art and furniture collected over the centuries.
The Gardens
Spanning three centuries of development, the grounds include the Walled Garden, growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers; the Yew Tree Walk, lined with ancient yew trees; and the Lost Garden, a former ornamental Georgian garden now maintained as quieter parkland.
Royal Visits
Over the years, the castle has hosted numerous royal visitors, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Diana during their 1985 tour of Northern Ireland, and Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2016, alongside state visitors including former US President Barack Obama.
Visiting
Guided tours cover the state rooms and gardens, offering insight into both the castle’s architecture and its ongoing role in Northern Ireland’s political life.
