As the country observes a period of mourning following the death of the Queen, advice has been issued for people across Northern Ireland and beyond who are planning to travel to Royal Hillsborough to pay their respects.
The Northern Ireland Office say members of the public will be welcome to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle but a number of restrictions are in place.
To maintain the traffic flow in the village, a dedicated Park & Ride facility has been set up at the Eikon Centre, Halftown Road. A one-way system is in operation within Royal Hillsborough village and traffic and parking will be restricted.
Read more: Royal Hillsborough remembers a lifetime of loyal service
On Sunday 11th September, the general public shuttle bus services will operate from 4pm - 8pm to/from the Eikon Centre (subject to change) in line with official proceedings in Royal Hillsborough.
No public access to Hillsborough Castle will be available during the period of mourning except for those using the Park & Ride service.
On arrival at the Eikon Centre, members of the public will pass through a soft security search, before boarding coaches for Hillsborough Castle. You will be able to access toilets and refreshments at the Eikon Centre before travelling to Royal Hillsborough. A rolling coach service will be available for the return journey, dropping visitors back to the car park at Royal Hillsborough.
A number of other guidelines are explained below:
Large bags, such as backpacks and rucksacks will not be allowed onto the Park & Ride buses to Royal Hillsborough; you will be asked to return any large bags to your car and will have to undergo the queuing system again.
Please be aware that only floral tributes will be allowed to be laid in the dedicated area at Hillsborough Castle. On arrival at the Eikon Centre, all floral tributes will undergo a full security search, and any cellophane wrapping will be removed and disposed of at the Eikon Centre to avoid a fire risk. Notes will also be removed and preserved by the NIO at Eikon Centre for onward transmission to Buckingham Palace.
Other ‘artefacts’ (i.e. items other than flowers, such as teddy bears) are not allowed to be laid, and will also be removed and stored at the Eikon Centre. Items such as soft toys will be donated by the NIO to local hospitals.
On arrival at Hillsborough Castle, the tributes should be handed to an events steward who will lay them in the dedicated area in the Forecourt of Hillsborough Castle.
More information and guidance can be found on the Cabinet Office mourning period guidance web page.
Further information on the public transport services is available on Translink’s Website
When is Hillsborough Castle and Eikon open?
- The area for floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle will be open from Saturday 10 September: a free and frequent shuttle bus service will be in operation from the Eikon Centre Park & Ride facility to/from Hillsborough Castle. Information on bus timetables is available on Translink’s Website
On Sunday 11th September, the general public shuttle bus services will operate from 4pm - 8pm to/from the Eikon Centre (subject to change) in line with official proceedings in Royal Hillsborough.
What is there?
- Ample parking
- Toilets
- Refreshments
Where is the Eikon Centre?
- The Eikon Centre is close to the M1 and only 10 minutes from Royal Hillsborough.
Yellow signs will direct you to the Hillsborough Park & Ride. You will be directed as follows, if approaching from:
- The South (A1): Stay on the A1 past Royal Hillsborough Village and turn left onto Harrys Road
- The East (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 7 onto the Blaris Road
- The West (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 9 onto the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road
- The North (A26): At the junction with the M1 and A3, turn East onto the the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road
How do I get there by public transport?
- A shuttle bus will run from Lisburn rail station to and from the Eikon Centre
- Public buses will still run through Royal Hillsborough, but you will not be able to access the Castle other than via the Eikon Centre. You will be able to hand floral tributes to staff to lay on your behalf.
Why is there a security check?
As you are aware, Hillsborough Castle is a secure venue and for this reason it will be necessary for everyone coming on site to undergo a short security check before boarding the buses at the Eikon Centre as well as a further check before entering Hillsborough Castle.
All cellophane on floral tributes will be removed during this security check. No other tributes will be allowed at the Hillsborough Castle site, and guests are requested to refrain from bringing any other objects or tributes.
To facilitate a speedy security check, guests are requested not to bring large bags or holdalls. There will be no storage facility in the Eikon Centre for luggage.
I am attending the ceremonial events, do I need to travel via the Eikon Centre?
- Yes. Guests for ceremonial events in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast also be asked to travel to the Eikon Centre.
- Guests will be handled separately to members of the public seeking to lay floral tributes. You should have received information about travel from the Northern Ireland Office alongside notification of your attendance at the event(s).
I live in Hillsborough, do I need to travel to Eikon?
- Local residents and business owners within Royal Hillsborough Village should receive a leaflet from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council regarding the special arrangements in operation during the national period of mourning. If you have not received this, please contact the Community Assistance Centre on 028 9244 7999 for further information and support.
I just want to lay flowers, do I really need to go to Eikon?
Hillsborough Castle is only accessible to the general public (aside from local residents and business owners) during the national period of mourning via the Park & Ride facility at the Eikon Centre.
Flowers may be handed to staff outside Hillsborough Castle; any other material (such as wrappings and other tributes) will be removed and the flowers will be laid in the dedicated area.
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