Events
Upcoming events
Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market
Date:
Sat 28th September Times: 10.00am - 3.00pm
The Fort Guard will in attendance and giving a short free walking tour of the Fort and its surrounds at 12pm and 2pm
Fort Guard at last Farmers Market giving an insight into the history of the Fort.
Past events
Presentation of Warrants
After over 100 years six new Fort Warders were appointed on the 31st July 2021. The 9th Marquess of Downshire, Constable of Hillsborough Fort issued six new Warders their official Warrants in a ceremony at Hillsborough Fort. This was a culmination of over 10 years hard work by the men, the Marquess of Downshire and Hillsborough Old Guard (Historical Society), reviving the Warders to work alongside Fort Guard Bugler Andrew Carlisle whose position was retained by successive Marquesses, keeping the Hillsborough Fort Guard Alive.
Inspection of the Guard
On Saturday 2nd October 2021after a work party at which the Fort Guard refurbished the graves of two former Sgt Majors of the Fort Guard, Lord Downshire inpected the Guard in front of the Parish Church in Church Square.
Granting of the Letters Patent for Royal Hillsborough
On the 20th October 2021 following Her Majesty the Queens Illness and inability to travel the Fort Guard were inspected by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for County Down Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, before attending the Ceremony granting the Letters Patent awarding Royal Status to Hillsborough which was performed by the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis in Her Majesty's Absence.
Civic Dinner to celebrate the award of Royal Status to Hillsborough
On the 22nd October 2021 the Fort Guard provided a Guard of Honour to arriving guests at the Civic Dinner to celebrate the award of Royal Status to Hillsborough.
Interdenominational Service of Thanksgiving
A Church service celebrating the granting of Royal Status to Hillsborough took place in Hillsborough Parish Church on the 10th November 2021 the Guard once again provided a Guard of Honour to guest Arriving and leaving the Church.
Rememberance Sunday
The Fort Guard while regular attenders at the Act of Rememberance at the War Memorial in Hillsborough, for the first time since the 1930's took up the position of Quarter Guard on the 14th November 2021. The Quarter Guard was taken on by members of the Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade since the numbers of the "Old" Fort Guard had dwindled and to them we owe a great debt for keeping the tradition going.