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Village in Northern Ireland
Photo: David Hillas, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hillsborough is a village historically in County Down in Northern Ireland, nowadays governed as part of Lisburn and Castlereagh District. It's an attractive Georgian village dominated by Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and of the King whenever he's in the province. Since 2021 it's been officially dubbed "Royal Hillsborough". It's a commuter town for Belfast, with a population in 2021 of 4200.
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Grand Georgian mansion, the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and of royalty and VIP visitors. The Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 was signed here, and it was the setting for talks leading to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The guided tour of the house takes in some of the state rooms and the art collection. There are extensive gardens and parkland.
Attractive 18th-century Anglican church.
Artillery fort built in 1650 but prettified in 1758. The interior is closed.
This is the park surrounding the ornamental lake just east of the fort. Multiple access points, generally always accessible but the car parks may be locked at dusk.
Pub since 1752 does good food. Dogs permitted in the front bar.
Pleasant friendly hotel in village centre.
Charming B&B in 1928 farmstead three miles southwest of village, gets rave reviews for comfort and welcome.
Welcoming B&B in the country four miles south of village.
The village sights are easily reached on foot. Take the Newry bus for Dromore.
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