About

On the 21st December 1660 under a Royal Charter from Charles II, Hillsborough Fort became a Royal Fort with Arthur Hill becoming Hereditary Constable of the Fort of Hillsborough with command of Twenty Warders. The Warders or " Castlemen" were paid to protect the Fort which commanded a very strategic position on the road from Carrickfergus to Dublin.The Fort was further improved by the 1st Marquess of Downshire Wills Hill in the mid to late 18th century. By the end of the 19th century, with the Warders role being mainly ceremonial the Government no longer wished to pay to maintain the Guard and an arrangement was made to pay the remaining Warders until they died but that a Bugler and Royal Warrant would be retained. In many press cuttings throughout the years it is stated that "Their uniform, it is said hadn't changed since 1688, they were clothed in Blue tunics, turned up with red and trimmed with white lace, white breeches and black leggings with a large cocked hat and red feathered plume. Their arms consisted of a musket, bayonet and sword". The Current uniform would certainly date back to the late 18th century when Wills Hill later to be the 1st Marquess of Downshire petitioned the Government to make the Fort Guard part of the military establisment all be it his own Private Army.

The Last of the original Fort Guard Jack Green passed away in 1955 leaving only The Bugler to carry on the ceremonial duties now based mainly at Hillsborough Castle.

In 2011 Hillsborough Old Guard historical society with the permission of the current 9th Marquess of Downshire set about the reformation of the Fort Guard to work alongside the Bugler. Six new uniforms were made and men recruited to fill them and after 10 years of hard work it has culminated with six Warders being granted their official Warrants the first time this has happened in over 100 years.

The aim is to take the Fort Guard up to the full compliment of Twenty men.