Ebrington Hotel owners expand with acquisition of Da Vinci’s

A prominent hotel in Derry has changed ownership for the second time within a year, as the team behind the award-winning Ebrington Hotel acquires Da Vinci’s, extending their hospitality footprint to both sides of the River Foyle.

The purchase marks another major step for the Garvan O’Doherty Group (GODG), who were warmly wished well by the previous owners, the Simpson family, who are known for their investments in local entertainment and hospitality, including the Brunswick Moviebowl and the Blackbird bar. The family also holds interests in Belfast’s Lansdowne and Benedicts hotels.

The move follows recent activity by the GODG in the city, including the sale of key properties along Queen’s Quay and Strand Road to Ulster University, part of the institution’s strategic expansion of its Magee campus, aiming to grow student numbers to 10,000 by 2032.

In addition to their hotel ventures, GODG has shared plans for a £20 million whiskey distillery on Foyle Street. The distillery is one of six projects the group has outlined for the city, with a combined estimated investment of around £175 million.

The Ebrington Hotel, located on the site of the former military barracks, opened in July 2023 after a £15 million redevelopment supported by government funding. It has quickly become a key feature of the city’s tourism landscape and was named Northern Ireland Hotel of the Year at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards.

Owned by Cecil Doherty and Liam Tourish, the hotel project was first unveiled in early 2022 with backing from the Northern Ireland Executive and Invest NI. It is seen as central to increasing visitor numbers and boosting investment in the Ebrington area.