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Roe Park Resort evolves into Roe Valley Resort as redevelopment works commence.

Galgorm Collection, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hospitality group, has announced the start of a bold new era for one of its landmark properties, unveiling the first of four £5 million investment programmes in Roe Valley Resort.

This marks the start of an ambitious transformation plan to elevate the guest experience and redefine luxury at the newly-rebranded resort.

Nestled beside the breathtaking Roe Valley Country Park, Roe Valley Resort is set to become the ultimate destination for families and those seeking a destination for it all.

The first £5 million investment gets under way this year in two phases.

From June, younger guests can look forward to an array of thrilling new features that are packed with adventure. From a giant-sized Helter Skelter and soft play area to a brand-new kids' park, arcade, and thrilling pool slides, the resort is introducing next-level entertainment for younger visitors which can be accessed by both hotel residents and day visitors.

Culinary enthusiasts will also be in for a treat this June as Galgorm Collection brings its acclaimed Italian restaurant, Fratelli, to the North West for the first time. Designed as a welcoming space for both locals and resort guests, Fratelli will offer a warm, family-friendly atmosphere where children can enjoy making their own pizzas, adding a fun and interactive dining experience.

Later this year, in the second-phase investment, for those seeking even more indulgent relaxation, Roe Valley Resort will unveil a stunning new bar and adult-only spa, providing a tranquil escape for guests which will be open in time for Christmas.

Golf lovers can also anticipate enhancements to the award-winning PGA-standard 18-hole golf course later this year, reinforcing Roe Valley Resorts status as one of the island’s top golfing destinations. This exciting redevelopment follows Galgorm Collection’s landmark £28 million acquisition of Roe Valley Resort and Galgorm Castle Estate last November. The group has committed a multi- million-pound investment programme over the next five years to elevate both properties to new heights.

Welcoming the plans, Colin Johnston, Managing Director, Galgorm Collection, said:

“Roe Valley Resort has long been a cherished destination, known for its stunning setting, warm hospitality, and exceptional golf and spa experiences. This investment allows us to build on that legacy, enhancing the resort’s unique charm while introducing exciting new features that will appeal to loyal guests, the local community, and new visitors alike.” Our vision is to elevate Roe Valley Resort as one of Northern Ireland’s most sought-after destinations, offering even more for guests to experience and enjoy. We look forward to unveiling these exciting developments while ensuring the resort continues to provide the outstanding service and character it is known for.”

Steeped in history, Roe Valley Resort occupies a 150-acre estate that was once home to an 18th-century manor house and the first hydroelectric power station in Ireland.

While the original manor house has been meticulously restored, the resort today boasts 118 beautifully appointed bedrooms, an award-winning 18-hole parkland golf course, a driving range, spa, restaurant, stylish bar, and range of conference and banqueting spaces. Additionally, the resort offers three residences for guests seeking a more private retreat.

Perfectly positioned on the edge of Limavady town, Roe Valley Resort offers easy access to some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes. Framed by the majestic Sperrin Mountains to the south and the dramatic Atlantic coastline to the north, the region boasts wide sandy beaches, rolling green valleys, and scenic hiking trails, making it an unparalleled escape for adventure and relaxation.

With Roe Valley Resort entering a thrilling new chapter, guests can expect an unparalleled blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation like never before.

Landmark acquisitions and investment plans represent a major uplift and confidence in Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism industry

Galgorm Collection, Northern Ireland's premier luxury hospitality group, today Monday 11 November 2024, announced a landmark £50 million investment in the region’s hospitality and tourism sector following the acquisition of two of the region’s most iconic properties: Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Valley Resort in Limavady.

This combined spend, which includes acquisition costs and a multimillion-pound transformation plan for both properties, represents one of the region’s largest investments in Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector and underlines Galgorm Collection’s position as the leading provider of luxury hospitality in the region.

Galgorm Collection, which owns a suite of leading properties including the iconic Galgorm, The Rabbit Hotel and Retreat, and The Old Inn, acquired the historic, internationally renowned Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and the four-star Roe Valley Resort & Spa, set in in a magnificent countryside estate in Limavady, for a combined £28 million.

In addition to acquiring both properties, Galgorm Collection has committed an additional £22 million to enhance the properties and estates over the next five years, further enriching their local, national and international appeal.

Building on Galgorm Collection’s vision for exceptional luxury experiences, this investment promises to transform and confirm both properties as must-visit destinations.

At Roe Valley Resort, guests will experience an enhanced family-friendly atmosphere, a new bespoke adult-only spa designed for ultimate relaxation, and continued improvements to its renowned golf offering. The developments will position Roe Valley as a top destination for families, golf enthusiasts, and those seeking a luxurious escape.

Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts can look forward to significant developments at Galgorm Castle Estate, as its already impressive golf course is elevated with the bold ambition of becoming the top parkland course in Ireland. Detailed plans will be unveiled in the coming months, solidifying the Estate’s reputation as a premier destination for world class golfing experiences.

Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Collection, said:

“We are delighted to welcome both Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort to the Galgorm Collection family. These are two iconic properties with strong legacies, and we are committed to building on their successes. Our £22 million investment will further enhance their offerings, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy unparalleled experiences.

“Most importantly, we are excited to welcome the dedicated teams from Galgorm Castle and Roe Park into our collection. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping an exciting future for these renowned destinations.

“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of Ballymena. As the home of our flagship property, Galgorm, Ballymena has been at the heart of our journey, and its support has been integral to our success. We look forward to continuing our commitment to this community as we grow Galgorm Collection and welcome these new properties into our family.”

Conor Murphy MLA, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, said:

“This significant £50 million investment by Galgorm Collection represents a major boost to the wider economy and local communities and will also help cement the north’s international tourism reputation. Galgorm Collection is already a key player in our hospitality offering and this investment demonstrates their commitment to the sector and is a vote of confidence in the tourism potential here for local and international visitors.

“The investment very much aligns with my economic plan of delivering good jobs and a regionally balanced economy where economic development is felt beyond our main urban centres. This kind of investment helps ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt across the north, supporting long-term growth and prosperity.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, added:

“These landmark acquisitions by Galgorm Collection represent a new and transformative milestone for Northern Ireland’s growing tourism industry. The significant investments planned for Roe Park Resort and Galgorm Castle Estate will greatly enhance Northern Ireland’s attractiveness to local, national, and international visitors, helping us drive tourism’s positive impact on the local and regional economy.

“By further developing these iconic destinations, Galgorm Collection is reinforcing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination, creating a lasting positive impact on our international brand and the guest experience.”

Christopher Brooke, Owner of Galgorm Castle, said:

“We are both delighted and saddened with today’s announcement - developing Galgorm Castle estate from a state of disrepair to a thriving development has been a life’s work. Securing its future was critical and we have now achieved this; it has been an honour and a privilege to have played a small part in Galgorm Castle’s rich history.

“We felt the time was right for the estate to further evolve and becoming part of a larger organisation will help achieve this. In particular, the Galgorm Collection team has the expertise to develop the Castle into something very special. We wish them well on the next phase of Galgorm Castle’s story.”

Speaking on behalf of the Roe Park Resort, Alan Wilton, Board Chairman said:

“Roe Valley Resort holds a special place in our hearts, and we are extremely proud of the team and all that’s been achieved as we’ve grown and developed. The resort’s continued success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team. Their commitment to providing top-class service and excellent hospitality is the reason that our guests return to the resort time and again.

“After almost 30 years at the helm, we believe now is the right time to hand over the reins to new ownership, ensuring the resort is poised for the future. This transition marks a significant milestone for Roe Park Resort, and we are confident that this new ownership will bring fresh vision and drive continued growth.

“Galgorm Collection has an outstanding reputation in the hospitality industry, and we are confident that the resort will go from strength to strength under its ownership. We extend our sincere gratitude to those involved in the resort’s success over the last 30 years and wish the new owners the very best of luck as they embark on this exciting new venture. We would also like to thank CBRE who acted for us on the sale.”

Through this significant investment, Galgorm Collection reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and enhancing Northern Ireland’s standing as a world-class destination for both local and international visitors.

With exciting plans set to unfold over the coming years, this transformational investment will contribute to the continued growth of Northern Ireland’s tourism industry, benefiting both visitors and local communities.

As you enjoy your visit to this lovely part of Ireland in these beautiful surroundings, I’m sure you must wonder about what history or events of significance have taken place in or around the valley of the Roe (the Red River). Recorded history in the area goes back to AD575 when AEDH (Hugh) the High King of Ireland called all his Earls, Chieftains and Scholars (Bards) to a convention to be held on Mullagh Hill (this is the hill in the centre of the golf course overlooking the Coach House).

The meeting always referred to as the Convention of Drumceatt was called to address two major problems facing the Kings:

- That the Bards in Ireland had become a major nuisance because of their pretensions and demands on the people and should be banned from their land.

- That the Irish who had emigrated from Irish Dalriada to Scottish Dalriada be given autonomy under King Aiden of Scotland and stop paying allegiance to the Kings of Ireland.

The Bards were upset and called upon one St Colmcille (Columba) to champion their cause as did the Irish who had immigrated to Scotland and among whom Colmcille now lived and preached. Colmcille was at the time in lona where he had gone in voluntary exile after a dispute with the then High King Dairmaid. Colmcille was born in Donegal in 521, was of noble blood being descended from Niall of nine hostages and the Kings of Leinster and because of this was held in respect by both sides of the dispute. He set up many monasteries in the north west of Ulster including the Roe Valley before going to lona. On leaving Ireland he swore not to set foot on or look at Ireland again and so legend says that when he came to the convention he wore Scottish sods and was blindfolded.

Colmcille worked out a compromise to resolve the problems of the bards by which they could remain in Ireland but in smaller numbers and with much less influence. On the matter of the Scottish Dalriada, agreement was reached that the Irish in Scotland would pay allegiance to King Aiden of Scotland but would come to the help of the Irish King in time of war if necessary. Colmcille also took the opportunity to plead the case of Scanlon Mor, son of the King of Ossory who was imprisoned in the castle at Grianan of Aileach but to no avail and he was not released until after King Aedh died in 594AD. One nice story told of Colmcille’s visit was that he was called a crane (because of his tall angular frame) by the king’s wife and maidservant because they were jealous of the influence he had over the King. He turned to the two ladies and said they would be cranes and to this day the ford on the Roe (at the northern edge of the country park) is still called the ford of the cranes (Atha-De-Chor) and two cranes are often seen in the Roe in this area.

A Recent History of the Roe Valley Resort (formly 'Roe Park Resort') in early 1850’s the Alexander family hired a music teacher from Alsace-Lorraine to tutor their Daughters – he was Edward Christian Ritter and he and Jane Alexander (his pupil) fell in love and eloped to Australia where they made a vast fortune in the gold trade. They had seven children and when the family returned to Ireland, one of them, John Ritter, married Elizabeth Jane Stanton, a niece of S.M. Alexander, and they inherited Roe Valley Resort. Thus began probably the most famous and productive period of Roe Valley Resort's history because it was somewhere in this house that J.E. Ritter developed his ideas on electricity and so made Limavady the first town in Ireland to be supplied by Hydro-electric Power. The power station still stands in the Roe Valley Country Park with most of the machinery intact and was operational up until 1960.

His wife developed the farm and market gardening, and when her husband died in 1901 aged 47 years, she also took on the running of what had become the Limavady Electricity Company – a remarkable lady considering she had 5 children, including twins aged 7 years. During the period of the Ritter’s at Roe Park the estate would have witnessed a wide variety of visitors from sports days, school parties, demonstration, visiting soldiers encamped prior to going to the Boer War, 1st World War and 2nd World War, with many American troops stopping here, prior to going to France. The Ritter dynasty ended at the hotel in the 1950’s, with the estate being sold off to local landowners and farmers. The house then became an old peoples home until early 1995, it was turned into the beautiful hotel as stands today.

The four-star Roe Valley Resort has celebrated the outstanding dedication and commitment of its employees at its annual summertime ball.

Marking significant milestones of 10 and 20 years respectively, a total of 7 employees were honoured at the event, in recognition of their loyal service to the resort. Each employee was presented with engraved plaques and gift vouchers as a token of appreciation from Roe Park’s management team for their ongoing excellence and commitment to the resort.

Presenting colleagues with their awards, George Graham, General Manager, Roe Park Resort, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our team and the dedication they’ve shown throughout the years. Our success is built on the hard work of our staff, and we’re thrilled to honour those who have reached this fantastic milestone in their careers. I want to congratulate all those recognised and thank them for their ongoing dedication to the business”.

Front row (left to right): Julieanne McNicholl (10 years), George Graham (General Manager), Glenda Moore (20 years), Ita Cielava (10 years). Back row (left to right): Sam Kerr (10 years), Richard Clark (10 years), Mark Cochrane (10 years).

The four-star Roe Valley Resort in Limavady has completed its latest renovations with its golf course facilities receiving a £160,000 investment boost.

Recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s premier golf and spa destinations and named ‘Best Golf Resort in Ulster’ by the Golfers Guide to Ireland, the resort boasts an 18-hole parkland golf course and driving range.

Prior to the re-development, the course was operating at a reduced 15-hole capacity with the recent renovations allowing for the re-opening of holes 10,11 and 12, named Daisyhill, Mullagh and Columbas, restoring the course to its full 18-hole offering.

Roe Valley Resort is also home to a training academy offering private and group lessons with PGA accredited professionals and an exclusive clubhouse surrounded by top class facilities, complete with an Indoor Studio and the latest Trackman 4 Launch Monitor technology.

The studio also provides tailored coaching and custom fitting experiences as well as access to over 160 world class courses for virtual golf through the studio’s Simulator Play technology. Further amenities at the resort include an 18-bay Driving Range, golf shop, short game area and putting green, as well as a chipping and bunker area.

Commenting on the renovations, Michael McCrudden Resident PGA Professional at the Roe Park Resort said,

“Our golf facilities continue to attract golfers from near and far to play the course and experience the technologies that we have on offer in the Golf Academy.

“The continued success of the Roe Park Golf Course and Golf Academy is a direct result of the emphasis that we have placed on developing our facilities and with this latest investment, we hope to elevate the experience for both our regular members and new visitors.

“Given the resort’s proximity to the North Coast and some of Ireland’s most renowned links courses, we hope these renovations are an added draw for visitors to the resort, especially as we look forward to The Open next year.”

In recent years, over £3million has been invested in the Roe Park Resort to expand its wedding and events facilities, golf course, and bedrooms along with the development of its third self-catering property, the Gate Lodge. The resort, which is currently listed for sale is recognised as one of the leading luxury resorts in Northern Ireland.

Roe Valley Resort, Limavady has been awarded Best Golf Resort in Ulster, and has also been named Accommodation of the Year at two local awards ceremonies. The resort was awarded with the prestigious title of Best Golf Resort in Ulster at this year’s Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards. The Golfers Guide to Ireland, now in its 33rd year, stands as the ultimate Directory for Golf enthusiasts, providing comprehensive information on Golf courses and accommodations across the whole Island of Ireland.

Roe Park’s recognition didn’t end there, as the resort also picked up the award for Accommodation of the Year at the Causeway Coast & Glens Business Awards. This category of the awards celebrates the outstanding contribution of local accommodation providers. The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough is a tourism hotspot and this year the event aimed to recognise the accommodation providers at the forefront, providing guests and visitors alike with an unforgettable experience.

Sinead McNicholl, Sales and Marketing Manager of the Roe Park Resort said,

“We are delighted to be recognised with two eminent awards back-to-back. We are constantly investing in our facilities, always striving to offer the very best customer experience. Being named as Best Golf Resort in Ulster is tremendous recognition for the outstanding team at the resort.

“To also receive the award for Accommodation of the Year is the icing on the cake. Both these accolades acknowledge our commitment to high standards of service across all aspects of the resort. Our staff always go above and beyond to ensure our guests have the best experience, when visiting the Roe Park Resort.”

The four-star Roe Valley Resort in Limavady has announced a £720K sustainability strategy investment, as it becomes a member of Green Tourism and works towards a target of net zero by 2050.

The hotel has made a number of significant investments on its way to net zero, with one of its major moves being an investment in a keyless card system. The system will significantly reduce the resort’s use of plastic, whereby guests will use their smart phones to access their room and have the option to check in themselves if desired.

In addition, the hotel is also paving the way for maximum heat and energy efficiency, by installing new boilers as well as solar panels which, since March, have already seen a 10% drop in electric usage before the summer months have even begun.

New heat controls have been introduced to manage temperatures in bedrooms and public areas which are more efficient and economical than previous systems.

George Graham, General Manager at the Roe Park Resort said, “We’re delighted to make these positive changes, contributing to a greener future and further enhancing our sustainability programme as we work towards the government targets of net zero by 2050.

“We have made significant investments so far to support our moves towards increased sustainability, but it doesn’t stop there as we are aiming to increase our use of solar panels following an initial £144,000 investment in these earlier this year. We are also looking at other areas around the resort to increase solar power.

“Three new hot tubs in our self-catering properties will be run by heat pumps and we have invested in a voltage optimiser which will make a saving of 8-10% in electricity.

“As we’re beside the River Roe, utilising hydro power is something we’re determined to do in the future. This also has a nostalgic tie in with the history of the hotel and the property’s former owners, the Ritter family, who generated the first hydroelectric power in Ireland from this site in 1896”, added George.

This latest investment at the Roe Park Resort follows its announcement in January of a £1.7m investment programme in the resort, which included the recent expansion of its weddings and events space, the Danny Boy Suite.

The four-star Roe Park Resort in Limavady has expanded its spa offering with the addition of two new brand partnerships, enhancing its treatments to support wellness.

The Spa at Roe Park has introduced treatments using the Cornwall-based Made for Life Organics brand. Originally developed from an orthodox medical background, the products combine dermatological science with natural botanicals.

Therapists at the Roe Park Resort spa have completed training in Touch Therapy from the Made for Life Foundation, which enables qualified beauty and massage therapists to offer holistic touch therapy treatments to those with limiting health issues such as stroke, MS, motor neuron disease, long covid or cancer. Touch Therapy was developed taking advice from trained oncology massage teachers, advisors within the oncology team at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and also Macmillan.

In addition, the Spa at the Roe Park has introduced treatments using the OTO brand, creators of the world’s first CBD-infused massage experiences. OTO specialise in luxurious CBD products that are sustainably sourced and use only natural ingredients that are vegan and cruelty-free.