Summary
This city, located a few miles from Belfast, is recognized as the birthplace of the Irish linen industry, established in 1698 by the French Huguenot Louis Crommelin.
Until the 20th century, Lisburn and its surrounding countryside were dominated by flax fields, riverside mills, and weaving and spinning factories.
Although the linen industry has largely faded into history, its legacy is honored at the esteemed Irish Linen Centre, which also provides insights into the era of Lisburn Castle in the 17th century.
Since 2013, Lisburn has been the venue for the Balmoral Show, a celebrated agricultural event that takes place every May and has a rich history spanning 150 years. The surrounding countryside features rivers, valleys, ancient monuments, and a reputable craft brewery at Hilden.
From the days of the linen industry, remnants of the old Lagan Canal can still be found, preserving much of its 18th-century infrastructure.
Let us examine the noteworthy attractions in Lisburn:
1. Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of Ulster’s linen industry after spending a few hours at this textile and history museum.
Within the Flax to Fabric exhibition, visitors can learn how flax was cultivated and processed, and observe skilled spinners transforming this coarse material into fine yarn.
The spinner’s cottage illustrates how every family member contributed to the linen business, while the opposite end showcases elegant damask and garments crafted from this material.
The museum also houses galleries that narrate Lisburn’s history, along with fascinating discoveries made on the site of the former Lisburn Castle.
2. Hillsborough Castle
When Queen Elizabeth or another royal family member visits Northern Ireland, they typically reside at this Georgian palace, which was completed by the Marquis of Downshire in the 1770s.
Hillsborough Castle has also been the site of significant diplomatic meetings, such as those associated with the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985. As one of the Historic Royal Palaces, this estate is accessible for tours, providing a privileged glimpse into a functioning royal residence.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Drawing Room, the regal Throne Room, and the magnificent State Rooms.
The grounds encompass 40 hectares, featuring formal gardens, the Ionic Lady Alice temple, a monument dedicated to the fictional poet Ossian, and a preserved Ice House.
The Downshire Gallery showcases the Hillsborough Faces exhibition, highlighting portraits of various individuals who have visited these halls, ranging from heads of state to castle staff.
3. Ulster Aviation Society
The former Royal Air Force Station at Long Kesh now hosts the annual Balmoral Show, which will be discussed further below.
In an old hangar, you will discover an exceptional collection of nearly 40 civilian and military aircraft maintained by the Ulster Aviation Society.
This society has been dedicated to preserving and restoring historic planes and helicopters since 1968. While exploring the collection, you may observe restoration activities in progress.
Among the notable aircraft are jets such as the Phantom FG. 1 and Hawker Sea Hawk, as well as a Grumman F4F wildcat from the Second World War, with helicopters including models like the Westland Scout and Puma HC1. Additional interesting pieces include a Spitfire replica, a detailed reproduction of a Ferguson Flier, an Air & Space 18A gyroplane, and a Lynx helicopter simulator.
4. Castle Gardens
This park space was allocated to Lisburn in 1903 as a public recreational area.
The history of Castle Gardens extends much further back, as it was originally the site of a fortified manor house belonging to the Conway family during the 17th century.
Excavations conducted in the 20th century uncovered a series of sandstone terraces from the 1600s, which have since been restored. This includes a striking double staircase with a balustrade and a grand gateway from 1677. Concealed within the park is an air raid shelter from the Second World War, which has been repurposed as a community education center.
The upper section of the park features memorials for both the First and Second World Wars, along with a memorial fountain dedicated to Lisburn’s early 20th-century benefactor, Sir Richard Wallace.
5. Christ Church Cathedral
The principal church of the Church of Ireland’s Connor Diocese, Christ Church Cathedral was established in the early 18th century following the destruction of its predecessor by fire.
The structure exudes a simple, understated elegance, yet is noteworthy for a couple of reasons.
One such feature is the pair of wooden galleries that extend along the length of the nave, rather than being situated at the rear.
Another distinctive element is the octagonal spire, which was added to the tower in 1804. In July 1914, the cathedral was bombed by a group of suffragettes, resulting in damage to a historic stained glass window.
Four women were detained, but the onset of the First World War resulted in no charges being filed against them.
6. Colin Glen Forest Park
Located at the junction of Belfast and Lisburn, Colin Glen Forest Park occupies a wooded valley nestled within the Belfast Hills.
This park attracts visitors seeking serene riverside walks in an area that once hosted flax and beetling mills.
Furthermore, family-friendly activities abound, such as SKYtrek, which offers high and low ropes courses featuring zip-lines and climbing walls suited for ages five and older.
Kayaking, laser tag games, and “zorbing”—where participants enter a large inflatable ball to traverse the river or engage in zorb-based football—are also available.
7. Lagan Valley Regional Park
This park, encompassing 1,830 hectares, extends over 11 miles along the Lagan River between Stranmills, a part of Belfast, and the Union Locks in Lisburn.
The park consists of a blend of riverside paths, nature reserves featuring mixed beech woodland, urban parks, and expansive open countryside.
Traces of Lisburn’s former linen industry can be found throughout, particularly along the disused Lagan Canal, which offers jogging and walking opportunities, shaded by willow trees.
A notable highlight is the Ballyskeagh High Bridge, constructed around 1760 from locally-sourced sandstone, characterized by its tall, narrow arches.
Visitors should also look out for the Lock Keeper’s Cottage, where one can view an original barge that traversed the canal.
8. Giant’s Ring
One of several prehistoric sites within the Lagan Valley Regional Park, the henge monument at Ballynahatty dates back nearly 5,000 years, predating the pyramids of Egypt.
Step back on the surrounding bank to truly appreciate the scale of the Giant’s Ring, which has a diameter of 180 meters within a circular enclosure.
This enclosure is bordered by an earthwork bank standing 3.5 meters tall.
There are five gaps resembling gates in this bank, three of which are believed to be original.
At the center of the ring lies an isolated megalithic passage tomb.
Due to the near-perfect circular shape of the ring, it was utilized for horse racing during the 1700s.
9. Hilden Brewery
This craft brewery, located in the village of Hilden, operates out of the Georgian Hilden House.
The house, constructed in 1824, was part of a thread mill founded by William Barbour, the founder of the Barbour Thread Company.
In the 19th century, William Wordsworth resided at the house, while the future Edward VIII (notable for his abdication) visited the Barbour mill in 1930. Today, the acclaimed Hilden Brewery welcomes visitors for tours, available by prior arrangement from Tuesday to Saturday afternoons.
The Tap Room offers lunch or dinner and features live traditional Irish music every Wednesday at 19:00. Should you find yourself in town during the August bank holiday, take advantage of the beer festival held throughout the long weekend.
10. Island Arts Centre
Welcoming over 280,000 visitors annually, this modern cultural center in Lisburn ranks among Northern Ireland’s most frequented arts destinations.
The Island Arts Centre presents fine and applied art exhibitions, maintains a consistent schedule of workshops, and hosts dance, drama, lectures, musical performances, and film screenings.
Opened in 2001, the center is surrounded by lush grounds that feature a sculpture trail.
If you are visiting Lisburn with children, there is an extensive array of activities designed for youth during school holidays, including creative storytelling, ceramics, and dance workshops.
11. Wallace Park
Covering ten hectares of expansive lawns and mature trees, this park is situated adjacent to Lisburn train station.
Initially owned by Sir Richard Wallace, the park was presented to the town of Lisburn in 1884. Its layout has remained largely unchanged since Wallace’s private gardens, preserving its Victorian English country aesthetic.
Recent enhancements include the renovation of the duck pond, restoration of the historic bandstand, and transformation of the playground into a miniature wonderland featuring fortress-like structures.
The century-old trees provide habitat for a variety of bird species as well as two species of bats: Leisler’s bats and common pipistrelles, which may be spotted at twilight.
On summer days, the park attracts families picnicking, cyclists, dog walkers, and office workers on their lunch breaks.
12. Belshaw’s Quarry Sculpture Park
Located in the countryside to the northwest, Belshaw’s Quarry was a limestone extraction site until its closure in 1950, after which nature reclaimed the area.
The rock face left behind holds geological significance as it archives a period when this locale was submerged underwater, parched desert, covered in molten lava, or encased in ice.
A variety of interesting species have thrived on the quarry floor, including orchids, wild strawberries, and a colony of common blue butterflies.
A sculpture park has recently been established at the quarry, featuring works inspired by its unique geological attributes.
13. Golf
A glance at a map of Lisburn reveals a surprising number of golf courses in the vicinity.
Within a 15-minute drive from the city center, there are nine courses, representing a blend of longstanding clubs with rich histories and newer establishments.
Lisburn Golf Club, established in 1905, relocated to its current site in 1973 to mitigate encroachment from residential developments.
The 18-hole, par 72 course is enveloped in trees and flowering shrubs, creating a scenic golfing experience.
Visitor green fees are £70 from Monday to Friday and £80 on weekends.
In contrast, Rockmount Golf Club, opened by Darren Clarke in 1995, presents a challenging parkland course with water hazards, where green fees are significantly lower at £18 on weekdays and £30 on Sundays.
14. Lisburn Square
Adjacent to Lisburn’s bus station and mere moments from the Linen Centre, Lisburn Square serves as an outdoor shopping center encircling a Georgian-style square with a glass pavilion.
Many of the establishments in Lisburn Square are local businesses, ranging from barbershops to interior designers, and there are various dining options available, from crêpes to quick bites at Subway.
The best time to visit is in late May, coinciding with the arrival of the touring Continental Market for the weekend.
The market offers products such as cheese, pastries, and freshly prepared foods from 26 different countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Morocco.
15. Balmoral Show
Now in its 150th iteration, the Balmoral Show has been hosted at Balmoral Park in Lisburn since its relocation from King’s Hall in Belfast in 2013. This agricultural fair has recently been extended to span four days instead of three, taking place in mid-May.
This event offers an engaging opportunity to experience rural life in Northern Ireland, combining elements of a trade fair and an American-style state fair.
With over 700 exhibits showcasing agricultural products, machinery, and arts and crafts, the event features fairground attractions, stunt horse performances, and a food pavilion featuring over 90 businesses.
At its core, the Balmoral Show retains a traditional essence, including competitions for livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and pigs.
