It’s understood Galgorm Collection – which owns and runs the prestigious Galgorm Resort & Spa among other hotels and restaurants – is in the process of acquiring the nearby Galgorm Castle Golf Club on the outskirts of Ballymena.

The lavish estate was inherited by Christopher Brooke and his family in the 1980s, and the golf course was then developed.

The estate dates back to the early 1600s, with the focal point a 17th century Jacobean castle, built in 1618.

The course has played host to a range of tournaments in recent years, including the NI Open, and also hosted the leading European Tour event, the Irish Open in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also played host to the ISPS Handa World Invitational over the last few years.

The spot has also been the backdrop for television and film, including The Frankenstein Chronicles, which was filmed in 2015.

A spokesperson for Galgorm Collection: “As Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hospitality group, Galgorm Collection continually explores a range of potential investment and acquisition opportunities to advance our growth and success and always look forward to providing an update as these materialise.”

Galgorm Collection has expanded and invested significantly in its portfolio over the last few years. That includes its flagship resort and spa in Ballymena.

Aside from the main building, it also has its Thermal Village, and a range of cottages, log cabins and shepherd huts.

It also operates the Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick, along with The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn, and Parisien and Fratelli in Belfast.

It’s also now planning a multi-million-pound development to include 32 luxury holiday apartments across a 54,000 sq ft site.

Galgorm has invested around £60m since 2010, helping to grow its position as a leading tourism spot here.

It also announced a further £30m investment to expand and enhance its resort and spa facilities by 2027.

Earlier this year it unveiled plans for its new Forest Dens, as part of a £3m investment.

The expansion to the Thermal Spa Village is due to follow in summer 2025, complete with forest walks, wood-fired sauna, hot tubs and a rope bridge connecting the Thermal Spa Village on both sides of the river.

Speaking at the time, Galgorm managing director Colin Johnston said: “Our commitment to maintaining Galgorm’s standing as a world-class, award-winning tourism destination has driven us to invest and innovate continually over the last number of years.

“This latest £3m investment is a testament to our dedication to offering premium and authentic experiences to our guests.

“The introduction of the forest dens marks a unique addition to our accommodation portfolio, providing guests with an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the luxury and tranquillity that Galgorm is renowned for.

“With further substantial investments on the horizon, guests can look forward to even more exciting developments, including the expansion of our Thermal Spa Village next summer.”

News Catch Up – Monday 2nd September