Galgorm Collection Invests in Northern Ireland’s First Championship Links Golf Course

News Summary

Galgorm Collection has announced a £30 million investment to develop Northern Ireland’s first championship links golf course in Bellarena. This 18-hole course aims to create a premier golfing destination between Portrush and Limavady. The project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs, increasing local economic growth. With the anticipated construction commencing in 2026 and first players hitting the greens by 2029, this initiative highlights the growing appeal of golf tourism in Northern Ireland.

Bellarena, Northern Ireland — Galgorm Collection has announced an ambitious £30 million investment to develop Northern Ireland’s first championship links golf course in over a century. This new golf course will be built in Bellarena, a prime location on the picturesque Causeway Coast near Limavady.

The Bellarena Golf Links project aims to create a world-class golfing destination with an 18-hole course strategically situated between Portrush and Limavady, approximately 30 minutes from the city of Derry and its associated airport. If planning approvals are granted, construction is anticipated to commence in 2026, with the first players expected to hit the greens by 2029.

This initiative will notably increase the Galgorm Collection’s investment in the northwest region of Northern Ireland to approximately £65 million. The new golf course is projected to generate around 300 new jobs, providing a substantial boost to the local economy.

In recent years, Northern Ireland’s local tourism sector has flourished, generating a record £86 million last year, attributed significantly to the growth in golf tourism following the hosting of The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019. The decision to invest in a championship links course underscores the increasing popularity of golf in the region and aims to capitalize on this upward trend.

Galgorm Collection’s Managing Director regards the plans for the Bellarena Golf Links as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that promises to enhance both golf and tourism in the region. Preparatory work at the Bellarena site is already underway, with the name “Bellarena” derived from the French term for “beautiful” and the Latin word for “sand,” reflecting its ideal coastal golfing landscape.

The site benefits from strong accessibility via the main rail line connecting Belfast and Derry, making it an attractive destination for both local and international golfers. The announcement of this new golf course has garnered widespread support from political and tourism leaders, who commend the expected economic benefits for the area.

East Derry MP Gregory Campbell highlighted that this investment represents a “major economic boost” and aims to extend the advantages of tourism across the local community. Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald also expressed her appreciation for Galgorm’s confidence and ambition in reinvesting in a robust tourism industry. Furthermore, Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland, emphasized the ongoing contribution of Galgorm Collection to solidifying the region’s reputation as a premier destination for golfers worldwide.

Galgorm Collection’s recent acquisition of Roe Park Resort in Limavady and Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena, alongside a significant £50 million expansion initiative in 2023, establishes a robust foundation for this new project. Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities for another championship links course in Glenariffe, Glens of Antrim, underscoring a continued commitment to enhancing golf tourism in Northern Ireland.

As excitement builds for the Bellarena Golf Links project, stakeholders remain optimistic about its potential to elevate the region’s profile in the global golf community while fostering local economic growth and job creation.

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Additional Resources

• The Independent
• Wikipedia: Northern Ireland
• Inkl
• Google Search: Bellarena Golf Links
• Sport for Business
• Google Scholar: golf tourism northern ireland
• MSN
• Encyclopedia Britannica: golf tourism