Hillsborough Castle

Hillsborough Castle, which dates from the 1770s, is Ireland's only royal residence, and it is still used by the British royal family for state trips to Northern Ireland. This Georgian gem is located 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Belfast and was given new life in 2018 as part of a £16 million refurbishment. Benjamin Franklin remained here for five days and is supposed to have directly contributed to the American Revolutionary War during his stay.

The Throne Room, the grandest in the house, is dressed in green silk-damask fabric and used for investitures and citizenship ceremonies, as well as an annual concert, was given by the Prince of Wales. A guided tour takes in the history of the refurbished State Rooms and includes the Throne Room, the grandest in the house, dressed in green silk-damask fabric and used for investitures and citizenship ceremonies, as well as an annual concert given by the Prince of Wales. The Queen met Irish President Mary McAleese in the Red Room in 2005. The salon, which was decorated with exceptional artwork by Anthony Van Dyck, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and William Hogarth, matched the grandeur of the event, as it was the first time the two heads of state had met in Ireland.

The castle gardens span 100 acres and feature a walled garden that dates back to the 18th century and was once used to grow fruit and vegetables for the castle. The overgrown and difficult-to-access Lost Garden has been rediscovered and restored, with ferny walks, bridges, and trails open to the public.

Location: County Down