Weekend Hotspot – Marine Hotel Ballycastle

You are viewing content from Q Newry and Mourne 100.5. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Dog Friendly Accomodation Marine Hotel Ballycastle

Ballycastle is a real picture postcard boasting one of the loveliest stretches of Antrim coastline. The town provides spectacular views across to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Travellers to the town can also unwind on Ballycastle Beach also a popular spot for fishing. A cycling route runs from Ballycastle to Torr Head and Cushendun. Additionally, the town is known for its many historic churches. Popular events include the Lammas Fair held annually on the last Monday and Tuesday in August. Another famous link to the town came after George Kemp; an assistant of Marconi arrived in 1898 to carry out "wireless telegraph" transmissions across to Raithlin improving trans Atlantic shipping communications.

 

The Marine Hotel a 3-star property located on the seafront has just completed the first phase refurbishment and expansion programme which sees all 33 of the property’s bedrooms renovated and its seafood restaurant, Marconi’s Bar & Bistro, overhauled.
 


Marconi-s Bistro Cuisine


The hotel’s function room has also been refurbished. The second phase will involve the addition of 12 executive bedrooms and an additional event space, plus upgrading the exterior to better reflect the Marine’s new, modern interior. The Marine Hotel was bought out of receivership in 2013 by experienced local business partners Colum McLornan and Claire Hunter and the result is hugely impressive and beneficial for the locality.

 

In recent years events like the Giro D’Italia and the Irish Open has really put the Antrim coastline on the tourist map. With a thriving hospitality and tourism industry here there is so much to see and do. The internationally acclaimed Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge situated between Ballycastle and Ballintoy hover's 80 feet above the sea. Constructed of rope and wooden planks this bridge is connected to a very small offshore island from the mainland and can only be accessed during the summer as it is removed before winter arrives. Only the brave will cross this bridge as it sways in the wind!
 


Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
 

The nearby Old Bushmills Distillery is the World’s oldest licensed Whiskey Distillery. King James I granted the original License to distil ‘Aqua Vitae’ in 1608 and since then Bushmills have been making the finest Irish Malt Whiskey here for almost four hundred years. Royal Portrush set on possibly the most beautiful stretch of coastline on the island of Ireland attracts golfers from all over the world. Founded in 1888, the course is overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Dunluce castle, making its setting and views nothing less than spectacular. The links layout of the two courses threads its way through giant dunes, along cliffs and into valleys. Both courses feature magnificent turf, tricky greens and narrow fairways, complete with high winds to make it a good challenge for the even most seasoned golfers.

 

The Dunluce course is the more demanding side and the championship course of the two. Calamity corner, the aptly named short 14th is probably the signature hole on this course. A popular spot for families during summer is Barry’s Portrush boasting the largest amusement park found in Ireland.

 

For best weekday or weekend rates visit here.

Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play