Name: Twelve Paintings Book Talk
Start: 2026-05-08T00:00
End: 0001-01-01T00:00
Location: Hillsborough Castle

Book Talk: Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers in conversation with Marie-Louise Kerr

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When

Friday 08 May 2026

19:30 (doors open 19:00)

Booking information

Arrival from 19:00 via the Hillsborough village entrance. The main event starts at 19:30.

Separate ticket required. Member discount available.

Tickets on sale soon.

Separate ticket (advance booking required)

Events

For one evening in May, Hillsborough Castle will host world-renowned Northern Irish artist Colin Davidson and prominent journalist and broadcaster Mark Carruthers, as they reflect on their intimate and compelling book, Twelve Paintings.

In the book, Mark draws on twelve of Colin’s iconic paintings to inspire a series of interviews on his creative process and the powerful human stories behind his work.

Join producer and presenter Marie-Louise Kerr in the exquisite setting of the Throne Room, as she steers the conversation to explore the world behind the canvas, from early Belfast street scenes to iconic portraits.

About the event

Tickets include a welcome drink on arrival and the opportunity to view first hand Colin Davidson’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. This is one of the outstanding paintings featured in the book, now part of the art collection at Hillsborough Castle, kindly on loan from Co-operation Ireland.

Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase on the night.

© Images on this page are provided by speakers to promote this ticketed event hosted at Hillsborough Castle.

Posed photograph of Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers holding new book ' Twelve Paintings'. — *Image: Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers holding new book 'Twelve Paintings'.*

Arriving at the event

All access will be via Royal Hillsborough Village. You will not be able to access the site via our welcome centre off the A1 dual carriageway.

By car:

Only blue badge parking can be accommodated on site for this event and must be prebooked.
If you require blue badge parking, guidance on booking your parking will be provided in your pre-visit email.
Free on-street parking is available along the Dromore Road. Off-street parking is available in a public car park at the junction of Lisburn street, Main street and Ballynahinch street (next to the Hillsborough War Monument).

By public transport:

Bus and train timetables can be found on the Translink website.

The nearest bus stop is at Hillsborough War Memorial.
It is a 3 minute walk from the village entrance in The Square at the top of the Main Street. Route 238 is an express service which connects central Belfast to Hillsborough village.
Route 38 is a standard service which connects central Belfast, Banbridge and Newry to Hillsborough village via south Belfast and Lisburn. Both services start at Grand Central Station, the main bus station in Belfast.

Learn more on our Getting Here page below.

Learn more