Ballygally Castle in Northern Ireland is marking its 400th anniversary with a major investment of £400,000 (€485,000).

The refurbishment of the hotel is due for completion later this month and comes ahead of a year-long programme of events and festivities to take place this year.

Ballygally Castle is the only 17th-century building still in Northern Ireland that is still in use as a residence.

Built in 1625 by Scottish settler James Shaw, it has been a coastal stronghold, family residence and a hotel.

The castle remained in the Shaw family until the early 1800s before being sold to the Agnew family for £15,400, and it passed through several owners before entrepreneur Cyril Lord transformed it into a hotel in the early 1950s.

The late Sir William Hastings then acquired the property in 1966 for £40,000, beginning a legacy of continuous investment and preservation. 

Over the past six decades, Hastings Hotels has invested almost €9.7m in the property, carefully maintaining its historic character while transforming it into a luxurious castle hotel. 

With the latest investment, Hastings Hotels has renovated 18 Coastal Rooms and the Antrim Suite, incorporating new carpets along with refreshed fabrics and furnishings. 

The castle’s exclusive private dining space, the 1625 Room, has been upgraded, and the lounge has also been enhanced.

“We are delighted to mark 400 years of Ballygally Castle. This unique property, steeped in history, is the jewel in the crown of Hastings Hotels and continues to go from strength to strength,” said Howard Hastings, chairman of Hastings Hotels.

“My father purchased the hotel almost 60 years ago, and since then, we have continued to invest significantly to provide an unforgettable visitor experience – from our stunning coastal location and luxurious accommodation to exceptional dining and, of course, our famous  friendly resident ghost, Lady Isabella.

“We have a brilliant team of 60 employees who are at the heart of Ballygally Castle, and the hotel continues to be a significant economic driver, contributing over £1.6m (approximately €1.9m) to the local economy annually, while attracting visitors from across Northern Ireland and around the world.”

Scott Weatherup, general manager of Ballygally Castle, added: “We are excited to celebrate 400 years of our castle on the coast and have put together a special programme of events to mark this momentous occasion.

“Our calendar includes a murder mystery event, a community BBQ, and exclusive celebratory accommodation offers for our guests. We have also commissioned a timeline installation some of the historic global events from the past four centuries.

“It is fascinating to see just how long Ballygally Castle has been in existence – predating the invention of the steam train, the American Declaration of Independence, and even Shakespeare’s First Folio.”

“With spring just around the corner, we are entering one of our busiest seasons, and with the completion of our renovations, we look forward to celebrating this landmark anniversary in style.”

Photo: Scott Weatherup (centre), general manager of Ballygally Castle is joined by Hastings Hotels’ managing director, James McGinn, and chairman, Howard Hastings. (Pic: Darren Kidd / PressEye)