Founded in the 1760's by the Hill Family of Hillsborough, Hilltown, located in
Down, is on top of a small hill near the Mournes.
A prominent Hilltown landmark is the Downshire Arms, an old hostelry opposite St John's parish church. The Downshire displays a distinctive cupola and clock in front, topped by a fish weathervane, denoting the good fishing of the area.
Despite its small size, the proliferation of pubs, eight in Hilltown's high street alone, are a legacy from eighteenth century smugglers who distributed their contraband liberally to local users, and are not necessarily an indication of the town's imbibing capacity.