Ballygally Castle

Ideally located on the scenic Antrim coast only 20 miles from Belfast, the Ballygally Castle hotel faces the soft, sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay and is an ideal base for touring. The hotel dates back to 1625 and is unique in that it is the only 17th Century building still used today as a residence in Northern Ireland. This small, friendly, traditional hotel is even reputed to have its own friendly ghost!

The 44 bedrooms at the Ballygally Castle are full of character and charm. Beautiful, original beamed ceilings and antique pine furnishings give the rooms a feeling of stylish living in the last Century, with all the top facilities of a modern hotel. The exquisite Garden Restaurant overlooks the castle grounds and offers a table d hote menu for dinner and a set lunch menu. A more informal lunch menu is also available in the bar and lounge.

The Ballygally Castle Hotel has a wealth of recreational activities within reach and can serve as a base for exploration of the famous "Nine Glens of Antrim" and the Giant's Causeway and the superb scenery can be enjoyed from many coastal and glen walks. Excellent golfing is available and the fishing in the area offers sea fishing, trout and salmon rivers are close at hand.

One of the most impressive aspects of county Antrim has got to be its famous coastline. The marine drive north from Larne, and then west to the resort of Portrush follows sixty miles of the most beautiful coast you could imagine. The world renowned Giant's Causeway is reason alone to visit the county. This geological phenomenon is famed for its columns of layered basalt and is a world heritage site. The shapes we see today were formed when red-hot lava erupted from an underground fissure and crystallised some 60 million years ago. Two well established routes set at different levels leave from the Visitor Centre and form a circular walk. The Cliff top at Hamilton's seat affords one of the best views of the Causeway, also taking in Malin Head and Inishowen.