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Ballygally Castle is due to complete a £400,000 investment programme later this month to celebrate its 400th anniversary.
The Hastings Hotels owned property has used the investment to renovate 18 Coastal Rooms and the Antrim Suite, including new carpets.
Furthermore, the castle’s private dining space, the 1625 Room, has been renovated, and the lounge furniture has been upgraded.
The investment comes ahead of a programme of events and festivities which are set to take place throughout 2025.
Howard Hastings, chairman of Hastings Hotels, said: “We are delighted to mark 400 years of Ballygally Castle. This unique property, steeped in history, is the jewel in the crown of Hastings Hotels and continues to go from strength to strength.
“My father purchased the hotel almost 60 years ago, and since then we have continued to invest significantly to provide an enjoyable visitor experience which includes a stunning location, luxurious accommodation, great food and not to forget our friendly resident ghost – Lady Isabella.”
Scott Weatherup, general manager of Ballygally Castle, added: “We are so excited to celebrate 400 years of our castle on the coast and have put together a special calendar of events to mark this momentous occasion including a murder mystery event, community BBQ and celebratory accommodation for our guests to avail of.
“We have also commissioned a timeline installation detailing some of the historic global events from over the last four centuries. It is fascinating and really shows the length of time that Ballygally Castle has been in existence – for example before the invention of the steam train, the American Declaration of Independence and even Shakespeare’s First Folio.”
Ballygally Castle was built in 1625 by James Shaw and remained in his family until the early 1800s before being sold to the Agnew family for £15,400.
The property was sold a number of times after this, before being purchased by Cyril Lord in the early 1950s who refurbished it as a hotel, it was then acquired by the late Sir William Hastings in 1966 for £40,000.
Over the last six decades, Hastings Hotels has invested over £8m in the hotel on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.
