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The Culloden Estate & Spa Marks Major Milestone as it Celebrates 150th Anniversary


THE Culloden Estate & Spa is celebrating its 150th anniversary with the completion of its second 2026 renovation of £120,000. The investment follows a £500,000 bedroom refurbishment announced earlier this year of the hotel’s Garden Rooms and Deluxe King guestrooms, bringing the total investment to £620,000. New enhancements to the property mark a major milestone as the hotel celebrates 150 years since the property was first built as the official palace of the Bishops of Down.


Cormac Fadden, General Manager of the Culloden Estate & Spa said: “As we celebrate 150 years of Culloden Estate & Spa, this investment reflects our commitment to preserving the estate’s rich heritage while continuing to enhance the guest experience for the future. The upgrades to our private dining spaces and spa facilities, as well as our Garden Rooms and Deluxe King guest rooms, earlier this year, have been carefully designed to combine contemporary luxury with the timeless character that makes the Culloden so distinctive.”


July/August 2026


Belfast's Ulster Hall to Receive £170k Lighting Transformation


LQ BID has announced that the Ulster Hall will undergo a £170,000 exterior lighting scheme. Following funding from the


Department for Communities (DfC) Belfast Regeneration Directorate’s Revitalisation Programme, the initiative will allow the venue to light up in various colours for celebrations and major cultural events. As part of the project, has


also


economy. “This investment is about appreciating the important role listed buildings like Ulster Hall play in preserving our


built heritage, but also


Belfast City Council invested £72,000 in


the repainting of the building to further enhance the exterior. The project is underway with the


installation process set to be completed by December 2026. Rob McConnell, Chief Executive of ICC


Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, said the investment represents continued strategic investment in the city’s night-time


this


recognising the positive impact arts and culture brings to the night-time economy. “Ulster Hall draws over 150,000 people to the city annually across its various events and is central to the economic, cultural and social fabric of our city, and investment gives


this important


venue a greater sense of place and presence.” The Ulster Hall first opened in 1862


and has since been the ‘Grand Dame of Bedford Street’ known as one of the oldest purpose-built concert halls in the UK and Ireland. The venue has welcomed an endless


list of famous names including, Charles Dickens, Led Zeppelin, U2, Coldplay, Thin Lizzy, The Clash, The Rolling Stones, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, The Who, AC/ DC and many more.


Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter to Host New Weekly Sunday Market


A new Sunday market packed with local creativity, independent makers and artisan food, is set to arrive at Writers’ Square at Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. The market, organised by Cathedral Quarter BID, is set to launch on 7th June 2026 at 12pm to 5pm and will run on selected Sundays throughout summer and into early autumn. The market is expected to bring a boost for local businesses in the surrounding areas


of encouraging Cathedral visitors to explore


Quarter, the


area’s wide range of independent cafés,


restaurants, pubs and cultural


venues throughout the day. Damien Corr, Cathedral Quarter BID Manager, said: “The Cathedral Quarter has always been a place where culture, creativity and


community come together, so


Writers’ Square is the perfect setting for this new Sunday market. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase local makers and food producers while encouraging people to spend time in the area and experience everything


the Cathedral


Quarter has to offer.” Donagh McGoveran, Owner of Centra Donegall Street, added: “The Cathedral Quarter Sunday market at Writers’ Square is a fantastic addition to the Cathedral Quarter and something that will complement the atmosphere we already see across the area at weekends. It will naturally encourage visitors to spend more time discovering everything the Quarter has to offer – from cafés and restaurants to live music and nightlife. It’s exactly the kind of event that adds to the energy and character of the area.”


Translink Welcomes New Three-Year Charity Partner


TRANSLINK has announced Northern Ireland Hospice as its new charity partner, launching a three-year partnership that will support vital hospice care ser- vices for individuals and families across Northern Ireland. The partnership will see Translink employees, passengers and stakeholders come together through a range of fundraising activities, awareness initiatives and community engagement opportunities over the next three years. Funds raised will help Northern Ireland Hospice continue to provide specialist palliative care and support services to people living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families.


GALGORM Collection has announced the


beginning of its £20 million transformation programme of Roe Valley Resort. The investment will introduce a series of new attractions and facilities, set to open this summer. The major development programme follows from Galgorm


Collection’s aquisition of the resort back in 2024. The latest developments include Mussenden Lodge, a new luxury


four bedroom retreat overlooking Lough Foyle and Binevenagh, along with family focused additions such as pool slides, a two- storey soft play centre and The Leaping Hound, a new bar and entertainment venue inspired by local folklore. The upgrades build on recent investments across the resort,


including a new adventure playground, arcade and the opening of Fratelli restaurant. Further improvements are planned over the coming years,


including a refurbished reception area by the end of 2026, a new spa experience in 2027 and expanded conference and event facilities in 2028. Colin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Galgorm Collection, said: “Since acquiring Roe Valley Resort, we have been focused on


delivering a thoughtful and ambitious transformation that builds on the property’s strong foundations while introducing new experiences


for both existing and new audiences. “We have been delighted with the feedback from guests to date


and are pleased to have welcomed visitors from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield. “This latest phase of investment reflects our continued


commitment not only to Roe Valley Resort, but to the wider North West region as a whole. We see enormous potential in this part of Northern Ireland, from its natural beauty and heritage to its growing reputation as a world-class tourism and golfing destination, and we are proud to play a role in helping to elevate that offering.” Laura McCorry, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said: “Tourism Northern Ireland remains committed to supporting the


continued growth of tourism across the North West, which continues to attract visitors through its outstanding natural landscapes, heritage experiences, and world class golf offering. “It is extremely encouraging to see continued investment from


Galgorm Collection as a major hospitality investor in the region. “Alongside the international spotlight brought by events such


as The Open Championship, Northern Ireland continues to build its reputation as a premium leisure and golf destination, and investments of this scale play an important role in supporting that ambition.”


Galgorm Collection Unveils First Phase of £20 Million Investment at Roe Valley Resort


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