Galgorm Collection, one of Northern Ireland’s leading hotel and hospitality groups, has purchased a historic Northern Ireland estate and golf club in a landmark £50 million deal.
Galgorm Collection, which owns and runs Galgorm Resort & Spa among other hotels and restaurants, has acquired two of the region’s most iconic properties – Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Park Resort in Limavady.
The combined spend includes acquisition costs of £28 million and an additional £22 million to invest in the properties and estates over the next five years, further enhancing their local, national and international appeal.
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.
“Most importantly, we are excited to welcome the dedicated teams from Galgorm Castle and Roe Park into our collection. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping an exciting future for these renowned destinations.
At Roe Park Resort, which boasts a 118-bedroom 4* hotel, health club and 18-hole golf course, the investment plans include the addition of a new adult-only spa and continued improvements to the golf offering, while golfers can look forward to significant developments at Galgorm Castle Estate, with its already highly-rated golf course set to benefit from further enhancements, details of which are to be unveiled in the coming months.
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 organisation 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.”
Speaking on behalf of the Roe Park Resort, Alan Wilton, Board Chairman said: “Roe Park Resort holds a special place in our hearts, and we are extremely proud of the team and all that’s been achieved as we’ve grown and developed. The resort’s continued success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team. Their commitment to providing top-class service and excellent hospitality is the reason that our guests return to the resort time and again.
“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.
“Galgorm Collection has an outstanding reputation in the hospitality industry, and we are confident that the resort will go from strength to strength under its ownership. We extend our sincere gratitude to those involved in the resort’s success over the last 30 years and wish the new owners the very best of luck as they embark on this exciting new venture. We would also like to thank CBRE, who acted for us on the sale, our legal advisors Tughans and financial advisors FEB.”
Paul Collins, Head of Hotels in CBRE Ireland, commented: “We were delighted to have sold this prestigious property which is one of Northern Ireland’s best known and highly profitable resort hotels. Roe Park Resort attracted tremendous interest, both from international and local investors, and it will be a great fit for the successful buyers the Galgorm Collection.”