Note: despite its name, Hillsborough is a Georgian great house rather than a fortified castle. It is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and of the British monarch and royal family when visiting Northern Ireland, set in the village of Royal Hillsborough, and is included here as a historically significant 'castle'-titled royal site.
Visiting Hillsborough Castle
Yes, managed by Historic Royal Palaces, guided tours and gardens open seasonally
Where to stay nearby
The closest castle hotel is Ballygally Castle, 49.23 km away in Ballygally — Built in 1625 by Scottish settler James Shaw, used during the Irish Civil Wars and 1641 rebellion; the only 17th-century building in Northern Ireland still in continuous use as a residence today.
Ballygally Castle
Ballygally, Co. Antrim · 4-star
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