Hillsborough as stately home?
| 11:43 UK time, Thursday, 2 August 2007
What does the future hold for Hillsborough Castle, given that the Northern Ireland Office's days are numbered? The NIO is busily putting itself out of business, working on the devolution of policing and justice (provided the DUP agree). If all goes to plan then this time next year, the Secretary of State will have little to do. Which apparently has begged the question about whether the SoS needs to be living at Hillsborough Castle, the Queen's official residence. It is certainly a question that has passed through the minds of some in the NIO....
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They could start by giving back the gates of Hillsborough Castle to their rightful owner ie. Richhill Castle in Co Armagh.
Whether real or not the scaling down of any British Crown presence will be seen as more of the Brits out campaign conducted by Republicans. I await with interest the reaction of those who in the past reacted with hysteria at any suggestion of lesser British representation.
Just an idea but could the property not be given to the National Trust? They could not only maintain it but also open it to the public. Her Majesty could retain the right to request it whenever it was needed. This is the case with a number of NT properties that are owned by families who still live on site throughout NI and England.