You’re welcome to join us for a day of festivity and celebration!
Experience the sights, sounds, colours and flavours as the Georgian village of Royal Hillsborough comes alive with artisan markets, vibrant pageantry and historical spectacle.
What to do and see
If you enjoy artisan shopping, visit our annual Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market on the Dark Walk. Treat yourself to artisan food produce, art, craft or a beverage and bite to eat from local suppliers.
Enjoy the ceremony and be part of a rare historical moment as Hillsborough Fort Guard welcomes its first full complement of 20 Warders since the late Victorian period. The Hereditary Constable of the Fort, 9th Marquess of Downshire will issue signed warrants as his ancestors did under the Royal Warrant from Charles II to Arthur Hill in 1660.
The Warders in their new bespoke uniforms will parade up Park Street, onto Dromore Road and down Main Street to Hillsborough Parish Church to music of The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment.
Key timings
| Activity |
Time |
| Farmer's Market |
10am to 4pm |
| Piper on the Dark Walk |
11.45am |
| Hillsborough Fort Guard event to start |
12 noon |
| Piper on the Dark Walk |
12.55pm |
| The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment and The Hillsborough Fort Guard will parade through the village from Park Street to St Malachy's Parish Church |
1.45pm to 2pm |
Car parking
We anticipate the village will be busy on Saturday 31 May so please plan ahead.
You can park at:
Hillsborough Forest
Beechlawn School
Hillsborough Village Centre/Downshire Primary School
Ballynahinch Street Car Park
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church
Please be sure to dress for the forecasted weather! The Hillsborough Fort Guard event will take place on the grass area inside the walls of the fort.
