The Galgorm Collection has unveiled plans to invest more than £30 million to create a new, landmark links golf course at Bellarena on the region’s stunning north west coast.
The company, which owns and runs the championship course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and Roe Valley course in Limavady, said its plans would create the first championship links course in Northern Ireland in over 100 years and help to cement the region’s reputation as a world class golfing destination.
Galgorm said its plans to develop a new 18-hole links course at Bellarena – located between Portrush and Limavady and around 30 minutes’ drive from the City of Derry – will help create new local jobs and act as a major catalyst for further tourism investment in the north west.
Subject to planning approval, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year and open in 2029, bringing its total investment in the north west to around £65 million and an additional 300 jobs created.
Last year, the group acquired the nearby Roe Park Resort in Limavady and Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena as part of a landmark £50 million investment. It is currently investing a further £22 million in the now newly-named Roe Valley Resort and its own award-winning 18-hole golf course.
At the forefront of the region’s tourism growth, Galgorm Collection has invested around £120 million in less than two decades and currently employs a team of more than 1,400.
Galgorm Collection managing director, Colin Johnston, said: “Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland’s stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs.
“Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.”
Galgorm Collection, which is also developing plans for a new championship links golf course in Glenariffe in the Glens of Antrim, said this latest investment reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and enhancing Northern Ireland’s standing as a world-class destination for both local and international visitors.
Northern Ireland is a golf powerhouse, with an enviable reputation for producing some of the world’s all-time greats, including Masters and Grand Slam champion Rory McIlroy, US Open winner Graeme McDowell and Open champion Darren Clarke.