Irish hotel completes first part of £1m refurbishment

The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle has completed the first part of a major £1m refurbishment.

All 34 rooms in the property have been renovated, including 15 of its seafront bedrooms and its seafood restaurant, bar and bistro. The renovations also include the refurbishment of the hotel and function room which can now hold up to 400 guests.

Stage two of the expansion, which is supported by First Trust Bank, will see the hotel add 12 new executive bedrooms and an additional event space, as well as upgrading the exterior of the building.

The Marine Hotel was bought out of receivership in 2013 by business partners Colum McLornan and Claire Hunter.

Claire Hunter, co-owner, said the hotel’s new-found success was down to “harnessing the appeal” of attractions on the north coast. “In recent years events like the Giro D Italia and productions like Game of Thrones have really put Northern Ireland’s thriving hospitality and tourism industry on a global stage.”

Hunter added: “We are keen for Ballycastle to be part of this and through the Marine Hotel we can offer guests access to Northern Ireland’s unique features; the rugged coastline,

delicious food in comfortable, charismatic surroundings amongst friendly locals. We look forward to supporting the business as it moves into phase two of its expansion programme.”