Ballygally Castle
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Z thomas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Hastings Hotels
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- 1625 plantation castle; hotel since 1950s, famed ghost room
Pinpoint
Coast Rd, Ballygalley, Larne BT40 2QZ
Telephone 028 2858 1066
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Ballygally Castle is a 1625 plantation-era fortification that's operated as a hotel since the 1950s, with a long-running reputation for a resident ghost. Reviewers come away talking more about the sea views and the breakfast than any hauntings, though nobody seems to leave disappointed.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The Ballygally Bay views from the coastal rooms, and - according to more than one reviewer - the sticky toffee pudding.
Before you go
Dinner runs pricier than the rooms suggest, so budget for it separately, and don't go in expecting a ghost sighting - reviewers who asked about the famous ghost room mostly came away without an encounter.
What visitors say
Ballygally Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 1,712 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy the hotel's coastal setting and sea views along with the blend of historic character and modern comforts, and staff and food are generally praised, with breakfast and desserts singled out.
A couple of reviews raise more mixed notes - one describes an awkward billing interaction with a staff member, and another felt the lunch menu was fairly generic and pricey relative to other local options - so opinions on value vary slightly.
“Well, we didn’t see any ghosts, but did have the best Sticky Toffee Pudding of our two weeks in Northern Ireland and Ireland (and we did try enough to give a valid assessment). The room and view were great, a much…”- Aleksei Saunders, visitor review
Weddings at Ballygally Castle
Ballygally Castle is on our wedding roll because Hastings Hotels mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See the full UK castle wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
James Shaw · 1625
Built in 1625 by Scottish settler James Shaw, who rented the County Antrim location from the Irish Earl of Antrim, this castle survives as Northern Ireland's only continuously inhabited 17th-century stronghold. It successfully resisted attack during the 1641 Rebellion and passed through several owners before becoming a hotel in the 1950s. The Shaw family retained ownership for centuries as the local landed gentry.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Common questions about Ballygally Castle
Where is Ballygally Castle?
Ballygally Castle is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, at Coast Rd, Ballygalley, Larne BT40 2QZ.
Can you visit Ballygally Castle?
Ballygally Castle operates as a hotel, so access is normally for staying guests rather than day visitors. Contact the hotel directly about staying or visiting.
Can you stay overnight at Ballygally Castle?
Yes - Ballygally Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Ballygally Castle?
The Ballygally Bay views from the coastal rooms, and - according to more than one reviewer - the sticky toffee pudding.
Is Ballygally Castle a ruin or still intact?
Ballygally Castle is largely intact - 1625 plantation castle; hotel since 1950s, famed ghost room.
