As a new NI Chamber Patron, the Collection is part of a select group of leading businesses who lend their support to the development of the region’s economy and business community.

Announcing the  partnership, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber said: “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality businesses, Galgorm is an ideal NI Chamber Patron.

“A hugely successful indigenous business, Galgorm Collection has invested substantially in properties across Northern Ireland and through its tourism and business offering, makes a significant contribution to the region’s economic vibrancy. Its values and ambitions align closely with our own, in particular its obvious commitment to investing in talent, a focus on sustainability and the central role it plays in hosting and attracting international visitors.

“We are delighted to have them on-board and look forward to working with the team as part of a very mutually beneficial partnership.”

Colin Johnston, Managing Director, Galgorm Collection, added: “Joining Northern Ireland Chamber as a Patron underscores our commitment to the growth and prosperity of Northern Ireland’s economy. We are proud to stand alongside other leading businesses in supporting the region’s business community.

“Our investment in properties and dedication to excellence align seamlessly with NI Chamber’s values, and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring for mutual growth and success.”

Galgorm Collection joins a list of NI Chamber Patrons which includes Agnew Leasing, Balcas, Belfast International Airport, BT, Caterpillar, Danske Bank, Eakin Healthcare, Encirc, Moy Park, Narratology, Pinsent Masons, Power NI, PwC NI, Queen’s University Belfast, Randox, Ulster Bank, Ulster Carpets and Ulster University.

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Work, due to complete in spring 2025, will see the creation of  32 new suites at the Ballycastle venue, with the majority offering breathtaking sea views/

Director Carl McGarrity said: “We are thrilled to unveil this significant investment that marks a new chapter in our eco-evolution. These luxury sea view suites will provide a home away from home, situated beside our main hotel, offering a unique and environmentally conscious experience.”

The expansion will also see the introduction of a new eco-farmhouse, scheduled to be ready in April 2024. The farmhouse will feature four bedrooms, accommodating eight to 10 guests, and include a private hot tub.

The luxury sea view suites and eco-farmhouse mark the latest in a series of strategic investments by the hospitality venue since its initial £5 million commitment in 2019 during its grand opening.

Just last year, the venue successfully introduced The Lookout restaurant, which accommodates up to 500 covers on weekends.

The additional restaurant represented a £1.2 million investment and created 30 new jobs, including 13 talented international staff members who have brought their expertise to the team. The Salthouse Hotel also introduced a bakery to support various aspects of the hotel’s operations.

The Salthouse, which has been carbon-neutral since its launch in 2019, currently boasts a 24-bed hotel, six eco-lodges, a state-of-the-art spa, and two restaurants.

The latest development introduces luxurious suites with kitchenettes and expansive living areas,

In line with this growth, the project is expected to create 25-30 new employment opportunities, contributing to the overall prosperity of the region.

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Gareth Byrne, from Newcastle, Co Down, boasts 25 years of hospitality experience and has worked in The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, The Kensington, London the Duke of Richmond Hotel by Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

His appointment coincides with the completion of a luxurious interior overhaul, with updates to 53  guest rooms and communal guest areas. Meanwhile, work to upgrade and refresh the resort’s 25 lodges is set to be complete by late May.

Mr Byrne said: “I am immensely proud to have taken up this leading position at a time when the resort is graced with stunning new interiors and a host of exciting opportunities ahead.

“We have a fantastic team here at Lough Erne Resort and I will be working closely with them on a range of new initiatives to further enhance our guest experiences as we continue to build on our reputation as a destination where guests can enjoy world class hospitality with the finest of Fermanagh welcomes.

“I am a strong believer in selling the destination and creating authentic ‘must do’ experiences. This is something that we will continue to actively work on at the resort as we aim to further strengthen our partnerships and support even more local businesses and tourism providers across the county and beyond.”

Mark Ward, Co-Founder of TRU Hotels and Resorts LLC said he and his Co-Founder, Jeff Mahan were delighted to announce Mr Byrne’s appointment as General Manager.

“We are incredibly excited to have Gareth join the resort at a time when it is looking the finest we have ever seen.

“The guest feedback on our new hotel interior which is designed to harmonise with our glorious countryside setting and unite it with the latest in boutique design, has been exceptional to date. We are truly delighted to have Gareth at the forefront of a rolling investment programme that is set to continue over the coming years.”

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The £16.5 million Dunluce Lodge is set to open in the autumn, ahead of the 153rd Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush in 2025.

It will employ more than 80 people from the local area and is located on the edge of the fourth fairway of the course that shares its name.

Offering 35 suites with a sumptuous eight-suite private lodge for larger parties, the hotel will also feature an onsite putting green, designed by golf architect Martin Ebert, as well as private transfers to the nearby helipad and to the clubhouses at Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club.

Dunluce Lodge will be operated by hotel management company Valor Hospitality Partners, in partnership with the US based owners Links Collection, the same team behind the Seaton House hotel in St Andrews, which is set to open later this year.

Dunluce general manager Stephen Meldrum – who left  Belfast’s Grand Central Hotel to take up this new position – said: “Dunluce Lodge will set a new standard as the definitive five-star location on the Causeway Coast.

“Overlooking the fourth fairway at Royal Portrush and facing the wild Atlantic Ocean, the location speaks for itself.

“From my very first conversations with Valor and Links, their vision has been clear – to deliver an unrivalled, refined experience that builds on Northern Ireland’s world-renowned reputation for sincere hospitality and deliver a resort that is intrinsically integrated with the local community.”

Euan McGlashan, global co-founder and chief executive officer of Valor Hospitality Partners, said: “It’s a thrill to be working on this incredible project in such an area of outstanding natural beauty and on the edge of such an iconic golf course.

“Our wonderful owners have been intimately involved in all the design details, ensuring that their love of hospitality, golf, and Northern Ireland is projected into Dunluce Lodge which will stand proudly as the region’s only five-star hotel.”

Jonathan Harper, managing partner of the Links Collection, said: “While Dunluce Lodge sits proudly beside Royal Portrush, it is also the perfect base for many other prestigious courses nearby.

“In addition to setting for the 153rd Open Championship, guests can also enjoy the nearby courses at Castlerock, Ballycastle, Portstewart, and Royal County Down.”

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One in four UK hospitality businesses have no cash reserves and a further 29% have less than three month’s worth, according to a survey covering the whole of the UK.

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