About
Celebrating 10 years of inspiring the future.
Immerse yourself in an interstellar world of scientific exploration at this year's NI Science Festival.
Discover how you, the universe and everything in between behaves. Enjoy a range of events including talks, tour and workshops. From an conversation with Dick Strawbridge, to the science of compost workshop and behind-the-scenes conservation tour.
Don't miss out on these special, one-of-a-kind events.
Dick Strawbridge - In conversation at Hillsborough Castle
An informal conversation with Dick Strawbridge at Hillsborough Castle, discussing inventions and local inventors, renovating chateaus and historic buildings with sustainability in mind.
Date: Saturday 14 February 2026
Time: 19:00
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Adult £25 / Concession and Members £23
Capacity: 100
Ages: Suitable for families with children aged 12+
A beginner’s guide to the science of compost
For beginner gardeners who want to know the science behind composting and keeping your soil healthy, the pH, texture and structure of the soil and soil organisms, find out more about the science of compost.
Hillsborough Castle’s gardeners will show you how they make compost and how to get the carbon and Nitrogen ratio just right. Learn what can be composted and how to tell when it is ready to use. As well as a guided walk through the Walled Garden, you will visit behind the scenes areas such as the compost yard and the gardeners operating base.
This is an outdoor event so please come dressed appropriately. In the event of wet weather, we will relocate to a polytunnel. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and stuck into soil and compost.
Date: Saturday 14 February and Saturday 21 February 2026
Times: 11:00 and 13:30
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: Adult £20.80 / Concession £16.60 / Members £10.30 (price includes admission to Hillsborough Castle's gardens).
Capacity: 20
Age: 18+
Behind the scenes conservation tour of Hillsborough Castle
Discover how we conserve and preserve furniture, paintings, silverware and clocks for display in the State Rooms of Hillsborough Castle. Led by Castle and Collections Manager David Orr, you will see the techniques used to care for our collections.
Visit behind the scenes rooms not on the regular tours and meet one of our highly skilled specialists.
Dates & times: Wednesday 18 February (13:30) and Thursday 19 February (13:30)
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Adult £20.80 / Concession £16.60 (price includes admission to Hillsborough Castle's gardens). Members go free.
Capacity: 20 persons per session
Age: 10+
