Co Antrim’s historic White House lease renewed as landmark welcomes more than 3,000 visitors
The historic White House building
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community Development Committee has approved a further one-year lease for the historic White House in Newtownabbey.
The Dalaradia Group, a men’s community group, has leased the landmark from the council since 2021, delivering historical interpretation and visitor services as well as providing training and meeting facilities.
Centuries of local history
The White House is one of the area’s oldest surviving historic buildings and is associated with more than four centuries of local history. Council reports describe it as a plantation bawn, or fortified house, dating from 1569.
A report presented to the Community Development Committee at Mossley Mill on Monday evening said: “The White House has been restored from a crumbling ruin into a beautiful, multi-purpose building.
“It now hosts two interactive exhibitions: ‘A Tale of Three Kings’ recounts the Williamite and Jacobite Wars from a European perspective, while ‘Relive the History’ tells the story of the building’s past, right up to the present day.”
More than 3,000 visits recorded
The report recorded total footfall of 3,042 during 2025/26, compared with 3,240 in 2024/25.
During the latest reporting period, 408 people visited on open days, down from 480 the previous year, while attendance at Dalaradia Group activities remained unchanged at 360.
There were a further 2,274 attendances at events, tours and meetings during 2025/26, compared with 2,400 the previous year.
The number of events, tours and meetings also fell, from 96 during 2024/25 to 75 in 2025/26.
Lease agreed for another year
Macedon DUP councillor Matthew Brady proposed accepting the recommendation to renew the lease agreement with the Dalaradia Group for a further 12 months at an annual rent of £2,400.
The proposal was seconded by Antrim SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch and approved by the committee.
The committee report said continuing the arrangement would save the council approximately £1,200 annually in utility costs and a further £4,800 in staff costs.
