by Richard Buckley, Editor, Business Eye

One of Europe’s most sustainable hotels, The Salthouse in Ballycastle, is to expand with a £3.5m cash injection.


The spend will see the property, which launched in 2019, add a new restaurant and a range of eco cottages to its offering.

The decision to elaborate on the existing offering, which includes a 24-bed hotel, six eco lodges, spa and restaurant was prompted by a surge in demand for breaks there.

The new project will align with the hotel’s existing ‘eco and smart hotel’ concept, which is one of the most forward-thinking on the island of Ireland, and indeed the rest of Europe.

Planning has been passed for the new 110-seater restaurant, which will offer an array of culinary delights featuring the very best locally-sourced produce, served in a relaxed environment.

The Salthouse will create 30 new jobs as it enjoys a boost in visitors.

The Salthouse’s existing a la carte restaurant will continue to serve up its renowned seafood dishes and classic mains that have become popular with regulars and newcomers alike.

The creation of a new restaurant will mean The Salthouse can boast two foodie offerings, with the newer site providing a more casual element.

Meanwhile The Salthouse’s proposed ‘eco cottages’ will flaunt stunning interiors and the most beautiful sea views.

There will be 24 new eco cottages that collectively offer 32 bedrooms. The properties will be built to the highest sustainability standards to ensure The Salthouse is beyond carbon neutral.

The opening of both elements is scheduled for early next year.

Carl McGarrity, Director at The Salthouse Hotel, said: “When we launched The Salthouse in 2019 we knew we were filling a void in the hospitality scene.

“Carbon neutral is a term that is being used more and more, by consumers and businesses alike. Our customers want it, they expect high environmental ethics from service providers and due to that demand, we have chosen to expand to meet their needs.

“Our new eco cottages and restaurant will elevate our offering and provide more choice for the ethically minded traveller, but it will also ensure we are loyal to our sustainability theme, all whilst offering the best of service, quality and the most stunning views that stretch across the Atlantic.

“A major recruitment drive is underway ahead of the expansion and we look forward to launching to the public next year.”

The Salthouse is a self-sufficient business. An onsite wind turbine and solar panels have been integrated into the design and the energy that they generate powers the hotel and eco cottages.

The property also has a ‘no single use’ plastics policy while the water that services The Salthouse is from its very own borehole.

The Salthouse, located on Dunamallaght Road in Ballycastle, is approximately a one-hour drive from Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, and three hours from Dublin, which makes it very accessible for both local and international visitors.

The Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations are only a short drive away, while some of the top golf courses and fishing locations are nearby.

The business is a joint venture between Nigel McGarrity and a local property developer.

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Carl & Nigel McGarrity of The Salthouse, Ballycastle

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