Galgorm Collection announces £30m Championship Links Golf Course – NI’s first in over a century

Galgorm Collection unveils plans to create Northern Ireland’s first championship links golf course in over 100 years in £30m investment (CGI: Harry Cook)

In a bold move that will shape the future of golf tourism in Northern Ireland, Galgorm Collection has unveiled plans for a £30 million investment to develop Bellarena Golf Links — a new championship 18-hole links course situated on the stunning Causeway Coast between Limavady and Portrush.

The course will be the first new championship links development in Northern Ireland in over a century and will significantly strengthen the region’s reputation as a global golfing powerhouse, alongside established names like Royal County Down and Royal Portrush — the latter currently hosting The 153rd Open Championship.

A landmark for Northern Ireland golf

The Bellarena project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity, according to Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Collection, who described the development as “transformational” for the region.

“Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland’s stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs,” he said.

“Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.”

Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a grand opening forecasted for 2029.

Economic impact: £65 million investment and 300 Jobs

The development is expected to generate significant economic benefits. Combined with Galgorm’s recent acquisitions — including the Roe Park Resort in Limavady and Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena — the new Bellarena Golf Links will bring total investment in the north west to £65 million, with an estimated 300 jobs created across construction, hospitality, and maintenance sectors.

The group has already invested over £120 million across Northern Ireland in the past two decades, employing more than 1,400 staff and supporting rural economies through luxury resorts, golf courses, spas and fine dining venues.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the news:

“Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month’s Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further.

“I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.”

Tourism and golf: A growing force in Northern Ireland

Golf tourism is now one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing sectors of Northern Ireland’s tourism economy. According to Tourism NI’s Golf Tourism Monitor, the value of the golf visitor economy has more than doubled over the past decade — from £33.2 million in 2014 to £86 million in 2023, a 66% rise since The Open was held in 2019.

The region attracts thousands of golf tourists annually, many staying for nine days on average and playing five courses during their visit. With Northern Ireland producing elite golfers like Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, and Darren Clarke, it enjoys global recognition as a bucket-list golfing destination.

Ellvena Graham OBE, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland, said:

“With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer.

“Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I’m delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.”

Why Bellarena? A unique location on the Causeway Coast

Bellarena — derived from the French belle and Latin arena, meaning “beautiful sand” — sits on the spectacular North Atlantic coast between the towns of Limavady and Coleraine, and is part of the Causeway Coast and Glens District Council area.

Located just off the A2 Coastal Route, the site boasts panoramic views of Benone Strand, Lough Foyle, and the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also near Bellarena railway station, which links Belfast and Derry, offering excellent access for domestic and international visitors alike via City of Derry Airport, just 30 minutes away.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said the development would bring transformative benefits to the region:

“Tourism is an important element in the economic development of the North West and an investment of this scale by Galgorm Collection will provide a major economic boost for the area and create new job opportunities while also helping to showcase the region’s outstanding natural assets.

“This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity. I’m delighted at the news and look forward to seeing these plans progress over the months ahead.”

Part of a broader vision for Northern Ireland golf

Bellarena is not the end of the journey. Galgorm Collection is also advancing plans to build a second championship links course in Glenariffe, within the Glens of Antrim, furthering its ambition to make Northern Ireland a “globally unrivalled destination” for golf and luxury hospitality.

The group’s wider estate includes:

• Galgorm Resort (Ballymena) – flagship five-star resort with spa and parkland course

• Roe Valley Resort (Limavady) – under redevelopment with £22m investment

• The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat (Templepatrick)

• The Old Inn (Crawfordsburn)

• Fratelli and Parisien restaurants (Belfast city centre)