Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – Ballygally Castle Co Antrim from Hastings Hotels THERE are many accommodation choices on the North Antrim coastline however the newly refurbished Ballygally Castle enjoys the most spectacular setting of all. Built in 1625 by James Shaw who arrived in 1606 from Greenock during the Plantation of Ulster. In 1621 a grant was made
■ Ballygally Castle Exterior
to him by the Earl of Antrim of land which included 120 acres at Carnfunnock and 80 acres at Corkermain and Ballyruther. The castle is also referred to as O’Halloran’s Castle and is said to have been the home of a poet named Agnew at some time in its past. The castle remained in the Shaw family into the 1800's, then it passed through a couple of families until it was acquired in the 1950's by Cyril Lord, he was an entrepreneur who was widely known for carpet manufacturing.
He refurbished the castle and opened it up as a hotel, and then in 1966 it was bought by the Hastings family. The castle is said to be also home to several ghosts, one of these being Lady Isabella Shaw who is said to frequent the old part of the castle, having fallen mysteriously to her death from a tower window. Following a £3 million refurbishment the hotel now has eighteen new ‘5 star coastal view’ bedrooms including six family rooms making it one of the largest hotels on the Causeway Coastal Route with 54 bedrooms. The River Room has been replaced by the brand new Kintyre Ballroom which will now accommodate up to 250 people and offer stunning views over the castle gardens and stunning coastline all the way to the Mull of Kintyre. The Garden Restaurant dinner experience is impressive offering a bistro and table d'hôte menus for dinner, featuring many dishes made
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com using the finest local produce. Located on the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, Ballygally Castle is just 45 minutes from the Giants Causeway. Nearby Portrush is known for its three beautiful beaches, White Rocks, East Strand and West Strand. The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is situated ■ between Ballycastle and Ballintoy and is one of the most famous things to do is to walk across this narrow swinging rope bridge hovering 80 feet above the sea. Constructed of rope and wooden planks this bridge is connected to a very small offshore island from the mainland and can only be accessed during the summer months as it is removed before winter comes. Old Bushmill's Distillery is the World’s oldest licensed Whiskey Distillery. King James I granted the original License to distil ‘Aqua Vitae’ in 1608 and since then Bush-
Ballygally Cast
le Coastal View
Rooms
mills have been making the finest Irish Malt Whiskey here for almost four hundred years. Founded in 1888, The Royal Portrush golf course is overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Dunluce castle, making its setting and views nothing less than spectacular. For Games of Thrones fans, this is also the perfect spot from which to head out and explore some of the iconic sites where the series was filmed! Mini Break packages for the autumn including two
nights accommodation, breakfast on both mornings, 3 course evening meal on the first night and a tour of the ‘Ghost Room' and Castle during your stay are available from £170 per room. www. hastingshotels.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com