Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort £50m investment announced
The price includes the cost of both properties and money for transformational plans
Last updated 11th Nov 2024
One of Northern Ireland’s leading hotel and hospitality groups has announced a £50 million pounds investment in the sector after buying two popular properties.
The Galgorm Collection – which owns the Galgorm Resort & Spa among other hotels and restaurants –has today announced it has acquired the Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Park Resort in Limavady.
The multi-million pounds investment includes the cost of the properties and money which has been earmarked for transformational plans.
According to the hospitality group it represents one of the region’s largest investments in Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector.
The combined price for both properties is £28 million, while an additional £22 million will go towards enhancements over the next five years.
Plans to upgrade the Roe Park Resort include a new adult-only spa and continued improvements to its golf offering.
Meanwhile, there are ‘bold’ development plans set for the Galgorm Castle Estate with the aim of becoming the top parkland course in Ireland. They are set to be unveiled in the coming months.
Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Collection, said: “We are delighted to welcome both Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort to the Galgorm Collection family. These are two iconic properties with strong legacies, and we are committed to building on their successes. Our £22 million investment will further enhance their offerings, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy unparalleled experiences”
“The investment very much aligns with my economic plan of delivering good jobs and a regionally balanced economy where economic development is felt beyond our main urban centres. This kind of investment helps ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt across the north, supporting long-term growth and prosperity.”
John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said the investment represents a “transformative milestone for Northern Ireland’s growing tourism industry.”
He added: “The significant investments planned for Roe Park Resort and Galgorm Castle Estate will greatly enhance Northern Ireland’s attractiveness to local, national, and international visitors, helping us drive tourism’s positive impact on the local and regional economy.
“By further developing these iconic destinations, Galgorm Collection is reinforcing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination, creating a lasting positive impact on our international brand and the guest experience.”
Speaking on behalf of the Roe Park Resort, Alan Wilton, Board Chairman said: “After almost 30 years at the helm, we believe now is the right time to hand over the reins to new ownership, ensuring the resort is poised for the future. This transition marks a significant milestone for Roe Park Resort, and we are confident that this new ownership will bring fresh vision and drive continued growth.
Christopher Brooke, Owner of Galgorm Castle, said: “We are both delighted and saddened with today’s announcement - developing Galgorm Castle estate from a state of disrepair to a thriving development has been a life’s work. Securing its future was critical and we have now achieved this; it has been an honour and a privilege to have played a small part in Galgorm Castle’s rich history.
“We felt the time was right for the estate to further evolve and becoming part of a larger organization will help achieve this. In particular, the Galgorm Collection team has the expertise to develop the Castle into something very special. We wish them well on the next phase of Galgorm Castle’s story.”
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