Discover Northern Ireland launches festive Facebook Live

Join a member of the gardening team and resident Hillsborough Castle expert florist, Lorna Brownlee, on December 16 at 6pm on Facebook in the opulent surroundings of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in County Down for a tutorial on making your own homemade Christmas mantelpiece décor, table centrepieces and wreaths.

Using beautiful foliage, cinnamon sticks, berries, pinecones and orange slices, Lorna will guide you step-by-step to dressing a perfect Christmas table or wreath for your door.

She will be joined by the talented Claire Woods, Garden Manager at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, to discuss the selection of foliage and wonderful creations.

Embrace the spirit of the season with an actual visit to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

From December 11 until January 3, enjoy the Christmas Garden Trail and look out for the magic elves and fairies.

Pick up a trail map on arrival and enjoy a wintry stroll in the open air with family, keeping eyes peeled for a bit of Christmas magic along the way. From December 19-23 you might even spot Santa Claus himself.

Visitors can also soak up the festive atmosphere in the fantastically festive garden displays in the Walled Garden and Shell House.

Discover Northern Ireland’s second Facebook Live tutorial on December 22 at 6pm is a cocktail-making masterclass with Brendan Carty from Killowen Distillery in the ornate setting of Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh.

Brendan will talk you through making the perfect Killowen ‘Christmas Godfather’.

The most authentic of distilleries, Killowen Distillery is seated in the heart of the Mourne Mountains in County Down and is one of Ireland’s smallest whiskey producers.

The distillery, which offers private tours, is a place where old traditions and the finest natural resources have been blended to produce world class craft spirits.

Killowen, has recently collaborated with their chocolate-making neighbours, NearyNógs to produce a rum and raisin chocolate bar which is perfect for a mouth-watering festive stocking-filler.

Tourism NI Consumer PR Officer, Claire Hamilton, said: “We invite you to embrace the giant spirit of our experienced hosts this Christmas season.

“We hope the Facebook Live tutorials will whet your appetite to visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Killowen Distillery and Killeavy Castle Estate, as well as inspire you to plan visits to the many unique attractions and experiences on offer in Northern Ireland.”

To watch the Facebook Live tutorials, simply Like the Discover Northern Ireland Facebook page and log in at the time the sessions go live.

To find out about all of the giant experiences across Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Follow Discover Northern Ireland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.