Latest news with #CaoimheArchibald
ITV News
4 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Plans unveiled for Northern Ireland's first new championship links golf course for 100 years
Plans to create the first championship-standard links golf course in Northern Ireland for more than 100 years have been announced. Hospitality group Galgorm Collection is investing £30 million in building the course at Bellarena on the north west coast between Limavady and Coleraine. The announcement comes as the region continues to play host to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club around 20 miles away. Golf tourism in Northern Ireland generates £86 million annually – a figure that has increased 66% since Portrush last hosted the Open in 2019 – but tourist bosses have highlighted that capacity is a limiting factor in driving further growth, with only so many visitors being able to play on the region's landmark seaside links course at any one time. Tourism NI has previously flagged a desire for a new course to be built and Friday's announcement means that is set to become reality in four years, with Galgorm Collection planning to open its new course in 2029. The company already owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and a course at Roe Valley in Limavady. Subject to planning permission being approved, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year. It said building the course would bring its total investment in the north west to around £65 million, creating an additional 300 jobs. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. 'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. 'We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Stormont's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement. 'Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further,' she said. 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.' Tourism Northern Ireland Board chair Ellvena Graham said: 'With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer. 'Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I'm delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.' East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said the development would deliver a 'major economic boost' to the north west region and also help showcase its natural assets. 'This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity,' he said. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Northern Ireland set for first new links golf course in a century as Galgorm reveals £30m development plans
The project, which will cost around £30million, will deliver a championship-standard links course between Portrush and Limavady to join the likes of Royal Portrush, which is currently hosting The Open, Portstewart and Castlerock on the north coast. Bellarena Golf Links is still subject to planning approval but the intention is for work to start as soon as possible, potentially as early as next year, with an eye on a 2029 opening date. The Galgorm Collection say that the project will create 300 new jobs in the area as well as increase the organisation's investment in the area to £65million after their acquisition of the Roe Park Resort in Limavady. The group purchased both it and Galgorm Castle Estate in a £50million deal last year and has pledged £22million to the redevelopment of the renamed Roe Valley Resort, which also boasts an 18-hole golf course. Economy minster Dr Caoimhe Archibald commented on the news: 'Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further. 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.' Bellarena is conveniently located along the train line from Coleraine to Londonderry, which will aid with transport links for tourists, as well as being served by the main coastal road. 'With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer,' said Ellvena Graham, Tourism Northern Ireland board chair. 'Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I'm delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.' The Galgorm Collection are perhaps best known for their chain of hotels, which includes the Galgorm Resort, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick, The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn, while they also operate the Fratelli and Parisien restaurants. Galgorm Golf Club famously hosted the innovative mixed-gender ISPS HANDA World Invitational on the DP World Tour and LPGA Tour, as well as the Irish Open during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is currently preparing to host an NI Legends event on the European Seniors Tour next month. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston added: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. 'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Welcoming the plans, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "Tourism is an important element in the economic development of the North West and an investment of this scale by Galgorm Collection will provide a major economic boost for the area and create new job opportunities while also helping to showcase the region's outstanding natural assets. 'This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity. I'm delighted at the news and look forward to seeing these plans progress over the months ahead.'
Irish Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
First new golf links in over a century to open in Northern Ireland
NORTHERN IRELAND is set to open its first new links golf course in over a century, as the Galgorm Collection unveils plans for a championship-standard development at Bellarena on the north coast. The new Bellarena Golf Links will be based just 20 miles from Royal Portrush, which is currently hosting The Open. The course will be built along the Causeway Coast, between Portrush and Limavady, with plans to open by 2029, subject to planning approval. The Galgorm Collection, known for its Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena and Roe Valley course in Limavady, is investing £30 million in the project. This will be the first newly constructed links course in Northern Ireland in more than 100 years. Links courses are considered the most traditional form of golf course, built on sandy coastal terrain that offers firm and natural playing conditions. Bellarena Golf Links will be designed to take full advantage of the area's natural beauty and rugged coastline. Colin Johnston, managing director of the Galgorm Collection, said that preparatory work is already underway, with construction potentially beginning as early as 2026. 'We believe Bellarena will be a game-changer for golf tourism in the region and a powerful draw for international visitors,' he said in a public statement. The project is part of Galgorm's wider £65 million investment strategy in the northwest. This includes the recent £50 million acquisition of the Roe Park Resort in Limavady—now rebranded as Roe Valley Resort—and the Galgorm Castle Estate. An additional £22 million is being invested in redeveloping Roe Valley Resort and its 18-hole course. The development is expected to generate 300 new jobs and boost local tourism. With over £120 million invested across Northern Ireland over the past two decades, Galgorm has become a major investor in the country's hospitality industry. Its portfolio also includes luxury hotels such as Galgorm Resort, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, and The Old Inn, as well as restaurants Fratelli and Parisien. The announcement comes at a high point for golf tourism in Northern Ireland. The sport brought a record £86 million to the regional economy last year, with figures from Tourism Northern Ireland showing a 66% increase in value since 2019, when Royal Portrush last hosted The Open. Golf tourists typically stay around nine days and play five different courses during their visit. Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald praised the plans, saying, 'Golf is a vital driver of our tourism economy, and this new course will help spread the benefits across more parts of the region. I commend Galgorm for their vision and commitment.' Tourism Northern Ireland chairwoman Ellvena Graham described the development as a major step forward: 'With our rich heritage and dramatic landscapes, Northern Ireland is already a highly sought-after golf destination. Bellarena will only strengthen that appeal.' The location of the course offers strong infrastructure advantages. Bellarena is on the Coleraine-to-Derry rail line and the main coastal road, making it easily accessible for visitors to reach. Bellarena Golf Links will join a lineup of other north coast courses, including Royal Portrush, Portstewart, and Castlerock. With planning permission expected to be submitted soon, the project is set to become a major driver for international tourism in the years ahead. See More: Galgorm, Golf, Royal Portrush, Sport, Tourism, Tourism Ireland
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Galgorm Collection plans new £30m golf course in Co Derry
Luxury hospitality group Galgorm Collection plans to invest more than £30m to create a new links golf course at Bellarena - the first new championship links course in Northern Ireland in over 100 years. The Northern Ireland-based company owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and the Roe Valley course in Limavady. Galgorm said it will develop a new 18-hole links course at Bellarena, which is located between Portrush and Limavady within the Causeway Coast and Glens area and around 30 minutes' drive from Derry and its adjacent airport. It said the new course will help create new local jobs and act as a major catalyst for further tourism investment in the area. Research last year showed the golfing sector's value had risen by almost 66% since 2019, when The 148th Open was held at Royal Portrush. On average, golfers spend around nine days on their visit to Northern Ireland, playing five rounds on different courses during their stay. Subject to planning approval, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year and open in 2029, bringing its total investment in the north west to around £65m and with an additional 300 jobs created. The group last year bought the nearby Roe Park Resort in Limavady and Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena as part of a landmark £50m investment. It is now investing a further £22m in the now newly-named Roe Valley Resort and its own 18-hole golf course. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston, said the company's plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify its outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. "Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029," he said. "We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole," he added. Northern Ireland Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said that golf tourism generated a record £86m for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further. The Galgorm Collection is anchored by its flagship Galgorm Resort near Ballymena in a group of properties which includes The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, The Old Inn, restaurants Fratelli and Parisien in Belfast city centre and Roe Valley Resort.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Plans unveiled for NI's first new championship links golf course for 100 years
Plans to create the first championship-standard links golf course in Northern Ireland for more than 100 years have been announced. Hospitality group Galgorm Collection is investing £30 million in building the course at Bellarena on the north west coast between Limavady and Coleraine. The announcement comes as the region continues to play host to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club around 20 miles away. Golf tourism in Northern Ireland generates £86 million annually – a figure that has increased 66% since Portrush last hosted the Open in 2019 – but tourist bosses have highlighted that capacity is a limiting factor in driving further growth, with only so many visitors being able to play on the region's landmark seaside links course at any one time. Tourism NI has previously flagged a desire for a new course to be built and Friday's announcement means that is set to become reality in four years, with Galgorm Collection planning to open its new course in 2029. The company already owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and a course at Roe Valley in Limavady. Subject to planning permission being approved, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year. It said building the course would bring its total investment in the north west to around £65 million, creating an additional 300 jobs. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. 'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. 'We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Stormont's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement. 'Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further,' she said. 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.' Tourism Northern Ireland Board chair Ellvena Graham said: 'With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer. 'Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I'm delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.' East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said the development would deliver a 'major economic boost' to the north west region and also help showcase its natural assets. 'This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity,' he said.
