BEST PRACTICE
Renewing the vibrancy of Hillsborough Castle
H
illsborough Castle in Northern Ireland , which is cared for by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces , is currently undergoing an exciting transformation project , with the ambition to open up the castle and the grounds to the widest possible audience by 2019 .
The plans include improving access for visitors and guests , conserving the site ’ s unique heritage and providing enjoyment , learning and participation opportunities . As part of the project , new visitor facilities and a dedicated Clore Learning Centre will be created , while the gardens , Throne Room , Drawing Room and Staircase Hall ( all of which can be used for events ) will be restored .
The transformation project has created an extra buzz and excitement around the site from the staff , volunteers and visitors with a high level of anticipation around its completion . Various departments at the castle have been working in collaboration to ensure operations continue with ease and disruption is kept to a minimum .
Debbie McCamphill , Events Manager , says : “ As a team , we ’ re having to be especially adaptable , patient and creative in everything that we do during this exciting phase to ensure that not only are we progressing well with the project at a practical level , but we ’ re keeping our visitors and clients informed and inspired by these changes as they take place .”
Events at Hillsborough Castle
The historical nature of the castle means it ’ s a popular choice with event organisers looking for a setting that will delight and inspire their delegates .
“ The castle is available to host all manner of events meaning no two days are ever the same . The variety , scope and scale of events and activities taking place here are significant and we enjoy welcoming clients and delegates from across the globe .
Recent events held at the venue include a reception and dinner for the jewellers Lunns ; a 10 year anniversary celebration for Innov8 ; the Royal College of Nursing – Nurse of the Year Awards ; a musical concert showcased local musical talent ; an evening at Hillsborough Castle with Gloria Hunniford ; and BBC Radio 3 ’ s In Tune at Hillsborough Castle , which saw Sean Rafferty take his In Tune salon of live music and chat to the Throne Room .
Charitable cause
Historic Royal Palaces , which also cares for the Tower of London , Hampton Court Palace , Banqueting House , Kensington Palace and
Kew Palace , is dedicated to ensuring the future of the historically important buildings it cares for and sharing the history of how monarchs and people have helped shaped society in some of the greatest palaces ever built . Funds raised from commercial activities including private and corporate events help make this possible and ensure that the sites are well maintained and remain open for everyone to enjoy . As such , Debbie says members of staff feel a huge sense of duty and responsibility to the venue and to the stories that make it so unique .
“ Clients hiring Hillsborough Castle for their events directly contribute to the charitable cause and go on to form the living history of the venue . This is a unique venue in so many ways and the team is dedicated to providing engaging and enchanting experiences for clients , guests and visitors .”.”
Overcoming challenges
Operating a royal residence and heritage site can be challenging , most notably as the venue team must work within set parameters to ensure the preservation of the castle , while fulfilling client requests . The team have a transparent and candid approach to client relationships and while the historical nature of the castle can in some cases present challenges from a conservation perspective , the team is dedicated to establishing a solid partnership with the client to help them achieve the best results .
“ We do so much here that coordinating all of our activities so that they flow seamlessly can create its share of challenges ,” Debbie says . “ For instance , we have a lot of beautiful pieces of art , furniture and objects of high cultural significance adorning the walls and
floors of our State Rooms . These pieces are looked after meticulously by our conservation team , ensuring they are well maintained . This understandably means certain conditions surrounding their ongoing care must be met . We regularly have to think creatively and work in a way that is adaptable to meet the needs of both our clients and conservation team – ensuring that their events are only ever enriched and never hindered by the presence of these stunning items .
“ Honesty , efficiency , adaptability , and reliability are key factors when it comes to developing a good working relationship with clients . We care greatly about the success of our client ’ s events both in their own right and because each event intertwines the stories of Hillsborough Castle with that of our client ’ s and that breathes life into our cause .”
MOREINFORMATION
Hillsborough Castle is available to host a wide variety of events , including : - Product launches - Corporate away days - Corporate dinners and drinks receptions - Private weddings - Private parties and celebrations - Gun Salutes - Large-scale public shows and fairs
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