21/04/2017

Hillsborough Castle Secures Lottery Funding

Hillsborough Castle and historic gardens have been awarded £4.8 million in National Lottery funding.

The funding will be used for an ambitious programme of restoration to transform the site, ready to welcome up to 200,000 visitors each year by 2019.

The £4.8m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant will be used to restore the Castle's gardens and conserve a number of State Rooms, including the Throne Room and the Drawing Room.

New visitor facilities including ticketing and a retail space will be created, and the Stable Yard will be used to house a dedicated learning centre for families, schools and youth and community groups.

An ambitious volunteer programme will provide opportunities for learning and development, with the gardens becoming a hub for horticulture and heritage skills. Training will also be provided for a number of roles including visitor information, tour-guiding, conservation and events.

Anna Carragher, UK Trustee and Chair of HLF in Northern Ireland, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players the important natural, cultural and built heritage of Hillsborough Castle will be conserved and opened up for many more people to enjoy.

"This unique heritage site will become a must-see attraction, allowing visitors to learn more about its fascinating history, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens or tour the historic State Rooms."

(MH/LM)

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