The most exciting development this year was the commitment of the Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund grant award towards the restoration of Castle Gardens by Lisburn City Council.

This is one of the largest urban park projects to be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the United Kingdom and highlights the value and potential of the Lisburn Historic Quarter.

The total cost of the restoration work iis £3,000,000 over the next three years, Castle Gardens will be transformed into a quality urban park without parallel in Northern Ireland, and probably much further afield. Within the compact city centre, Castle Gardens will be a catalyst for appropriate regeneration, a revitalised family destination with great heritage character, colour and vitality.

-Necessary clearance work and tree surgery

-Archaeological investigations

-Engineering survey and an appraisal of the 17th Century garden walls

-An initial education and public information programme

- Detailed designs of the proposed further restoration work

-Planning and reporting schedules

-Refurbishment of the Castle Street frontage and the War Memorial

-Restoration of the derelict 17th Century garden terraces

-Restoration of the listed garden monuments

-Refurbishment and replanting of the upper gardens

-Public toilets

-Park Ranger office

-Children's play area

-Improved lighting

-Improved security provision

-Re-surfaced footpaths

-Comprehensive education and public information