NEWS

Eugene McKeever, Founder and Group Chair welcomes Norman McBride to the Board of McKeever Hotels The McKeever Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Norman McBride to its Board of Directors, marking a significant step in supporting the company’s accelerated growth and expanding operational footprint. Mr McBride joins the Board in the newly created role of Group Operations Director, with responsibility for overseeing operations across the Group’s seven hotels. The appoin

Plans for a new lakeside Eco Village near Portrush are offering a detailed look at a holiday development designed to sit naturally within a former quarry landscape while delivering sustainable accommodation and local jobs. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has now received a full planning application from White Rock Eco Parks for a 45-unit Eco Village on a 4.72-hectare site at a disused quarry close to Ballybogey Road. The proposal includes self-contained holiday lod

CGI image of proposed apartments at Galgorm Resort, Ballymena A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for 32 new self-catering apartments at Galgorm Resort on Fenaghy Road, outside Ballymena. A planning statement submitted with the application indicates the proposed luxury apartments would form a four-storey development with a central communal entrance space. The scheme would include a variety of apartment types and shared facilities. E

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall Plans for valet parking at a former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The proposal seeks a change of use at the former parking site on Ballyemon Road in the village and has recently been lodged via the council’s planning portal. According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement, the proposal is linked to separate plans for alterations and an extension to th

Pictured (L-R) is Alistair Caldwell (SSP Operations Manager), Dan Owens (CEO, Belfast International Airport), Michelle McKay (General Manager, Soul & Grain), Cathy Granby (Chief Operations Officer, SSP UK and MD Ireland), andRichard Attwood (Director of Business Development UK and Ireland). Belfast International Airport has unveiled ambitious plans to enhance its food and beverage offering as part of its wider £100 million, five-year investment programme. The airport, part of

Coca-Cola Ireland has launched its 2025 Designated Driver campaign, celebrating an impressive 17 years of encouraging responsible choices and supporting the hospitality sector during the festive period. The initiative, which launched yesterday on 1 December, once again offers two complimentary Coca-Cola soft drinks — including Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste — to anyone acting as the designated driver at participating venues across the island of Ireland. The

Victoria Brown, Director of Marketing at Galgorm Collection and Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations at Galgorm accept the award for Best Spa Weekend at the Condé Nast Johansens in London. Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury resort, has secured a series of major international accolades at the World Luxury Awards and the Condé Nast Johansens Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading spa and hospitality destinations. The global recognition comes as the

Graduates of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School have doubled within the last year as support from the private sector also almost doubles. Pictured during the School’s graduation ceremony at Galgorm Resort are, from left, Djann Balmes, a former Bar Academy graduate who now manages the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Ashley Douglas, Northern Ireland Hospitality School Director of Operations and Brenda McGale, Britvic Ireland.  The Northern Ireland Hospitali

Ulster Unionist Party Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA has criticised the Finance Minister’s latest update on Northern Ireland’s business rates review, warning that the proposals offer “yet more reviews rather than delivering tangible support now” for firms already under intense financial strain. Her comments follow a statement in the Assembly from Finance Minister John O’Dowd , who outlined plans to accelerate the strategic review of business rates, enhance Small B

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford , has officially welcomed Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH , Head of Springboard Northern Ireland , to his parlour at The Braid to celebrate her receiving the Institute of Hospitality’s prestigious Fellows’ Outstanding Contribution Award

Janet Devlin joins Tiarnán O’Neill, Chief Finance Officer at Galgorm Collection, to celebrate the launch of Christmas All Around, the luxury hotel group’s new festive film. Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Janet Devlin is the face – and voice – of Galgorm Collection’s new Christmas campaign, Christmas All Around, an emotive festive film celebrating the meaning of time, connection and togetherness during the holiday season. The Gortin-born artist, known for her distinctive v

Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector is facing a critical moment of reckoning. The latest CGA by NIQ Trade Association Members Survey for Q4 2025 reveals a landscape marked by financial fragility, declining consumer engagement, and urgent calls for government intervention. From pubs and cafés to hotels and restaurants, operators are sounding the alarm: without immediate support, the sector risks widespread collapse. Operator sentiment: Confidence crumbles The report shows a

Iris Houston, General Manager of Adair Arms Hotel (left) and McKeever Hotels Board. The Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena is set to play a key role in an ambitious new five-year growth strategy launched by McKeever Hotels, as the family-owned hospitality group sets its sights on further expansion across Ireland and beyond. The plan, titled ‘Beyond Now’, was unveiled by Managing Director Eddie McKeever at a stakeholder event, outlining the company’s vision for growth, performance

Gray’s Boutique Hotel & Brasserie in Bushmills Gray’s Boutique Hotel & Brasserie in Bushmills has announced the appointment of Andrew Orr as its new Hotel General Manager, marking an exciting new chapter for the elegant Causeway Coast destination. With more than three decades of experience in hospitality management, operations, and team leadership, Andrew joins Gray’s with a strong track record of success across the hotel and restaurant sectors. In his new role, he will over

Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland with her award Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland, has been named winner of the Institute of Hospitality’s prestigious Fellows’ Outstanding Contribution Award 2025 — the first time this esteemed recognition has been bestowed on anyone from Ballymena. The award, presented at the annual Institute of Hospitality (IoH) Fellows’ Dinner held on 27 October at The Waldo

Johnny Hunter, Commercial Director, Dougie’s Goodies and Stella Grant, Group Procurement Manager, McKeever Hotels sample the delicious treats which will be served to customers of McKeever Hotels across Northern Ireland. A Ballymena-based bakery with over 40 years of sweet success has landed its first major food service contract — with one of Northern Ireland’s best-known hotel groups. Dougie’s Goodies, founded in 1983, will now supply its range of handmade traybakes, pastries

Dining at Galgorm Building on its recent triumph at the 2025 AA Hospitality Awards—where it secured AA 5-star status and its Gillies...

Representatives from Ballymena companies who took part in a Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan in Belfast to raise funds for the NI...

L-R Eddie McKeever, Lindsay Lutton and Bridgene Keeley McKeever Hotels has launched a new charity partnership with Northern Ireland Chest...