The Courthouse, which is based in the Square in Hillsborough, is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Ireland. The central arcade block was built by Wills Hill in 1760 and in 1810 the North wing was added and housed a courthouse.
In the same year the South wing was added and was used as an open market hall. The South wing is still used today for the very popular country markets. The North wing is now home to a major exhibition on the history and development of the country's legal system. With the help of displays, visitors can learn about 1,000 years of Irish Legal History.
Visitors can also view the interior of the courtroom where the fittings date from 1823.
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm
Hillsborough Fort lies just outside the village of Hillsborough in County Down. Set in the beautiful Hillsborough Forest Park and built on the site of the old Magennes stronghold, the Fort was founded in 1630 by Peter Hill and completed around 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill. The Fort consists of a square enclosed by an earthen rampart with outer stone facing. This stone facing rises above the rampart level to form a parapet wall. It was constituted a Royal Fort by Charles II.
William of Orange spent several nights at the Fort on his way South to the Boyne in 1690.