£1m boost for HillsboroughCastle plans

The grant, courtesy of Mark Pigott KBE, executive chairman of Washington-based technology company PACCAR Inc, is a ‘challenge grant’ that will match pledges and gifts on a one-for-one basis, to a maximum of £1 million until the end of 2016.

It comes as welcome news for Historic Royal Palaces, who assumed management of the Castle in April this year, flagging up “significant benefits” for the Northern Ireland economy, investment and new jobs.

HRP Chairman, Charles Mackay CBE, said the registered charity was delighted with a gift that would significantly contribute towards what he called its “exciting programme” for Hillsborough Castle.

“Mr. Pigott has been very generous on other important HRP programmes,” he said, “including the transformation of Kensington Palace and the renovations to the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London.

“We are confident that many other supporters will be inspired by his family’s generosity.”

The Pigott family and PACCAR have supported UK organisations such as Cancer Research UK, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the British Library, the Palace of Westminster, the National Theatre, the National Gallery and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Mr Pigott said of the Hillsborough grant: “It is an honour and a privilege for my family to be involved with the renovation of Hillsborough Castle, a historically important royal estate.

“Historic Royal Palaces’ vision for the site is imaginative and inspiring. It would be wonderful if many people and organisations joined together in supporting this noble undertaking.”

Hillsborough Castle was built in the late 18th century by Wills Hill, First Marquis of Downshire, and was the principal seat in Ireland of the Marquesses of Downshire for more 100 years until it passed into public ownership in the 1920s.

It remains the official royal residence of Her Majesty The Queen in Northern Ireland and residence for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. It is currently open for guided tours on selected days from April to September.

HRP Chief Executive Michael Day said of plans for its future: “Our aim is to develop the Hillsborough Castle site in order to enable everyone to explore the important historical role it has played and to make the castle and its gardens widely accessible for future generations to share and enjoy.”