Proms promises to rock castle

This year's proms will be held at Hillsborough Castle

Hillsborough Castle will reverberate to the sounds of music this summer after it was picked as this year's location for the BBC Proms in the Park.

World famous flautist Sir James Galway will join the Ulster Orchestra and a host of other artists on 12 September.

The concert will be introduced by BBC Northern Ireland's Noel Thompson and broadcast to a wider audience on BBC television, radio and online.

BBC NI Controller Peter Johnston said it promised to be a fantastic event.

"Proms in the Park is one of the most prestigious large-scale events the BBC undertakes each year," he said.

"We are really looking forward to bringing it for the first time to the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and it is particularly appropriate as Lisburn celebrates its 400th anniversary this year.

"Promenaders can be assured of a very special evening of great music from a mix of talented local and international artists all set against the stunning backdrop of the castle."

Roger Wright, controller of BBC Radio 3 and director of BBC Proms said they were thrilled with this year's venue.

He said: "The Proms in the Park audiences in Northern Ireland have always enjoyed a spectacular night of music and song and this year looks to be just as special."

Cllr Ronnie Crawford, Mayor of Lisburn City Council, added: "This will be one of the highlights of Lisburn City's 400th Anniversary celebrations which are rolling out throughout 2009.

"We are delighted to be hosting this year's Proms in the Park with the BBC and partners, and hope the grounds of Hillsborough Castle will prove to be an appropriately spectacular setting for this high-profile musical event."

Complimentary tickets for this year's BBC Proms in the Park in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle will be available from Monday, 1 June by logging on to bbc.co.uk/ni/tickets or by phoning 0370 901 1227.