36 | THE LOCAL TOURIST
Construction of New £16.5m North Coast Five-Star Hotel and Spa Begins
BUILDING work has commenced on Dunluce Lodge, the north coast’s first five-star hotel and spa.
The £16.5 million project is being funded by US investment and will reportedly bring 80 new jobs to the area.
The 35-room luxury complex will overlook the scenic fourth fairway at Royal Portrush Golf Club. It will be the sixth five-star hotel in Northern Ireland, however a first for the North Coast.
The development is the brain-child
of Texans Jonathan Harper and Robert Covington who co-founded the Links Collection, whose mission is “to bring the greatest hospitality experiences to the premier golf courses on earth”. Mr Harper and Mr Covington said: “We experienced and love links golf in Ireland and particularly Portrush. Although initially viewed as a family home, we soon realised that the nine-acres would be the perfect site for a golf lodge. “We are excited that others will have the opportunity to enjoy the same experience we did, and we can give something back to a local community that has been so supportive.”
Slieve Donard’s New US Owners Buy Portrush Hotel
THE Slieve Donard’s new US- based owners have made another investment
in Northern Ireland’s
hospitality sector with the purchase of the Adelphi in Portrush. AJ Capital Partners has paid an undisclosed sum for the four-star Adelphi Portrush Hotel situated on Portrush’s Main Street. Based in Nashville, Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners is a team of hospitality and real estate investors who create a one-of-a-kind portfolio of timeless assets, acquiring, designing and developing real estate throughout the US and UK. In Autumn 2014, AJ Capital Partners launched the Graduate Hotels collection.
Last year the group acquired the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle, County Down.
Belfast City Airport Firefighters Honoured for Long Service
TWELVE firefighters at George Belfast City Airport have been awarded prestigious Long Service and Good Conduct Medals in a recent ceremony. The medals, first established in 1954 and expanded earlier this year, recognise members of the Airport Fire Service across the UK who have completed 20, 30, and 40 years of exemplary service and celebrate those who exhibit a notable devotion to public safety. Approved by the late Queen Elizabeth
II, 20 Years Long Service and Good Conduct medals were awarded to
Local Entrepreneur Opens Budget City Centre Accommodation
A local entrepreneur is opening the revamped Bank Square Townhouse in Belfast city centre following a £200,000 investment.
Adrian McLaughlin and his business partners have spent around £200,000 in the revamp and the opening has created eight new jobs.
Mr McLaughlin has plenty of previous experience in the hospitality industry having help the position of Manager the Merchant Hotel in Belfast for six years, before going on the manage Gibson Hotel in Dublin and Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare.
Mr McLaughlin said: “For a long time I’ve felt that there was an opportunity in
Belfast to provide somewhere for visitors that offers boutique features at a budget price.
“So when the opportunity arose to take on Bank Square, I didn’t hesitate.” This isn’t Mr McLaughlin’s first investment in the local community, two years ago he set up popular coffee and donut shop ‘Guilt Trip Coffee + Donuts’. It has five outlets, with three in England, one in east Belfast and one in Holywood.
Watch Commander Rory Goldring, Crew Commander Stephen Morrison,
and
firefighters Alan McAllister, Brian McClure, Colin Niblock, Michael Glover, and Stephen Largan.
Special 30 Years Long Service and Good Conduct clasps were presented to Chief Fire Officer Seamus MacMahon, Senior Station Commanders Grahame Bennison and Paddy Hughes, Watch Commander Andy Hunter, and firefighter Stephen Mulholland. Speaking of the medal ceremony, Mark Beattie, Chief Operating Officer at Belfast City Airport, said: “Congratulations to all members of our fire and rescue team who have been honoured with Long Service and Good Conduct medals.”
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OUR TOP THREE LOCAL HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS 2
SLIEVE DONARD KIRSTY’S PICK
Location: Newcastle, County Down. About: Te hotel boasts 180 luxurious bedrooms, including 100 new Executive and Resort rooms and six magnificent Suites, many of which have stunning panoramic views over the Mountains of Mourne and County Down coastline.
ME & MRS JONES SARAH’S PICK
Location: Portstewart, County Antrim. About: NESTLED at the high point of Portstewart, Me & Mrs Jones Hotel can only be described as none other than a slice of luxury amids the tranquillity and calm of the North Coast, all whilst subtly blending into its close surroundings.
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OLD INN CRAWFORDSBURN
ERIN’S PICK
www.nitravelnews.com
January 2023
SWIFTLY INTO CANDLELIGHT
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
NI Travel News’ Erin English, our resident Taylor Swift fan, was kindly invited down to attend one of the vastly popular Candlelight Concerts organised by Fever. Fever’s Candlelight Concert’s first took to
the stage of St Anne’s Cathedral back in 2019, with an array of shows launched across the United Kingdom. These Candlelight Concerts aim to create an accessible and atmospheric space for music-lovers to enjoy the words of classical composers such as Mozart, Vivaldi, and Beethoven. More of a modern taste? Don’t worry, the Candlelight Concerts also put a classic twist on your much-loved favourites. Including, the Beatles, Queen, ABBA, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift! On the 11th of November, St Anne’s Cathedral
was illuminated with the effervescent glow and enchanting melodies of a classical rendition of all of Taylor Swift’s most-known and most- loved tracks! Walking into the venue, you are immediately captivated by the warm glow of the setting. Both the ambience created by the candles along with the stunning backdrop of Belfast’s most notable cathedral. Most of these concerts begin at 8pm, so be sure to be there from around 7:15/7:30 to secure a good seat. Throughout the concert, the performers are interactive and engaging with the audience. Even encouraging those who know the words to singalong! The Taylor Swift Candlelight experience featured some of her most notable hits including, Love Story, You Belong with Me, Shake It Off and Lover. Whether it be a date or an after-dinner performance with a few friends, there is no doubt at all that a trip to see one of the Candlelight Concert performances is the ideal way to round up an evening in Belfast. Candlelight Concerts are now available in Belfast and Derry. For more information and for upcoming concerts and events, please visit
https://feverup.com/ en/belfast or https://
feverup.com/en/ derry
Location: Crawfordsburn, County Down. About: Te Old Inn is the perfect escape for your next rural retreat. Te hotel is bursting with character, from cosy corners and elegant interiors to gourmet dining and the Treetop Spa, perched above Crawfordsburn Country Park.
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