Galgorm Castle Poised for Major Restoration and Renewal Plan submitted for £14m regeneration programme

Galgorm Collection has announced a new sponsorship partnership with the Antrim Camogie Minor squad, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and the development of young sporting talent across Northern Ireland.

As a leading hospitality group and major employer in the region, Galgorm Collection continues to invest not only in tourism and employment, but also in initiatives that positively impact the communities in which it operates. The new partnership will provide valuable support to the county’s Minor team as they build on recent success and prepare for the season ahead.

The Antrim Camogie Minors have delivered a series of strong performances, most notably securing the All-Ireland Minor A Shield title in 2025 following victory over Laois. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to development, teamwork and supporting the next generation of sporting talent within the local community.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Tiarnán O’Neill, Chief Financial Officer at Galgorm Collection, said: “Camogie has a proud sporting heritage in Antrim, and we are delighted to support a squad that represents the future of the game in the county. As a locally rooted employer, we see first-hand the positive impact that sport has in fostering teamwork, resilience and confidence among young people.

“Supporting the Antrim Camogie Minor team reflects our wider commitment to investing in local talent and strengthening the communities in which we operate. We are pleased to support the squad and wish them every success for the season ahead.”

The partnership forms part of Galgorm Collection’s broader community engagement programme, which includes sponsorships, charitable initiatives, educational partnerships and ongoing collaboration with local schools, clubs and organisations across Northern Ireland.

Sean Kelly, Antrim Camogie Public Relations Officer, welcomed the support, adding: “Galgorm Collection’s backing is hugely significant for our players and the wider development of the squad. This support will make a meaningful difference as we continue to develop the team and prepare for the challenges of the season ahead.

“We are extremely grateful to have the support of a respected local organisation that shares our values around development, teamwork and community. We look forward to building a positive partnership both on and off the pitch.”

With a portfolio of hotels, resorts, restaurants and golf experiences across Northern Ireland, Galgorm Collection remains committed to delivering positive economic and social impact alongside its continued growth, supporting initiatives that promote wellbeing, youth development and community participation.

The NI Legends event will return to Galgorm from September 4-6 as part of the new 2026 Staysure Legends Tour international schedule. Markus Brier is the defending champion after the Austrian defied the elements to complete his memorable win in 2025.

The world class over 50s senior tour has a brand new look for 2026 following the appointment of Staysure as the tour’s new title sponsor. The new Staysure Legends Tour has a new logo plus expanded international calendar with an exciting stop-off at Galgorm in September where it will be free entry for spectators.

The world class golf on show will include Ryder Cup captains, Major champions and proven Tour winners, alongside an exciting influx of new players. The Staysure Legends Tour continues to celebrate excellence built on experience and sustained performance at the highest level.

The Tour will also continue to offer amateur golfers the unique opportunity to play alongside legends of the game both in fun pro-am formats and competitive ‘tournament experience’ golf.

David Adams, Managing Director of the Staysure Legends Tour, said: “We’re incredibly excited to announce our 2026 schedule and to begin this new era as the Staysure Legends Tour. The breadth of the calendar, the quality of the venues and the global nature of the Tour reflect how far it has come. With tournaments across the UK and Ireland, Europe, America and Asia, encompassing three senior Majors and world-class destinations, 2026 promises to be a landmark season.”

Ryan Howsam, Chairman of both Staysure and the Staysure Legends Tour, added: “The Staysure Legends Tour represents the very best of the game’s experience and competitive spirit. Aligning Staysure with the Tour allows us to support a global sporting platform built on trust, quality and long-term ambition. The strengthened schedule and new identity reflect the direction of travel and the opportunities ahead.”

With a new title sponsor and events staged across the UK and Ireland, Europe, America, the Caribbean and Asia, the 2026 Staysure Legends Tour calendar underlines its truly global reach and growing international stature.

The season kicks off in February in Marbella, with a strong field at Aloha that includes home favourites José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez , before a return to Barbados at the end of April, where the Tour will visit the spectacular Apes Hill resort for a tournament hosted by Masters champion and 2006 Ryder Cup captain, Ian Woosnam.

The Legends Tour’s flagship event, the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, will once again be hosted by another household name and former Ryder Cup captain - Colin Montgomerie – who will resume host duties at the magnificent Trump International Resort in Aberdeen. The August event will be the first professional tournament to be played on the New Course, marking a significant milestone for both the venue and Scottish golf.

Fans can also look forward to three prestigious Major championships on the 2026 schedule. The Major season will begin with the Senior PGA Championship in Florida in April, followed by the US Senior Open in Ohio in July, before culminating in the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles in Scotland. Hosted at the iconic 2014 Ryder Cup venue, Gleneagles offers a historic and fitting stage for one of the most celebrated championships in the senior game, reinforcing the Tour’s connection to the sport’s most storied venues.

Further highlights include a co-sanctioned PGA Tour Champions event in Portugal at the end of July that will see many global stars playing at the Els Club in Vilamoura.

The announcement follows an outstanding 2025 season, which saw Australian Scott Hend, a multiple-time winner on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, claim the season-long Order of Merit title after a dominant year.

The year also saw a number of rookies coming into contention alongside established names, underlining the depth, competitiveness and evolving profile of the Tour. This included the likes of Ryder Cup stars Jamie Donaldson, Stephen Gallacher and David Howell, as well as established DP World Tour stalwarts Johan Edfors, Anthony Wall, David Drysdale and Steve Webster, as well as Darren Fichardt, who was crowned Barry Lane Rookie of the Year in 2025 after a stellar season competing on both the Legends Tour and the DP World Tour.

Further updates to the 2026 schedule will be confirmed in due course.

For the full schedule visit

www.legendstour.com

More information on the NI Legends and Playing Experiences

https://www.legendstour.com/tournament/black-desert-ni-legends-2026

20 - 22 April 2026 | Galgorm Resort, Northern Ireland

The British Sauna Society is delighted to announce the return of the UK Aufguss Championships to the award-winning Galgorm Resort, taking place from 20–22 April 2026. This marks the second time the championships will be hosted at Galgorm, following a highly successful debut in 2024.

For 2026, the championship format expands in an exciting new direction, with the introduction of the Modern Classic Aufguss category, in addition to the existing Performance Aufguss Single and Team competitions.

This expanded format reflects the rapid growth of Aufguss across the UK and internationally, while opening the door to both established and emerging Sauna Masters to showcase a wider spectrum of creative, technical, and traditional skills.

Two paths, one championship

In Performance Aufguss, Singles and Teams will deliver immersive, theatrical sauna rituals combining choreography, music, storytelling, and advanced heat and aroma craftsmanship. Winners will go on to represent the UK at the Aufguss World Championships Finals at Satama Sauna Resort in September 2026. Runners-up will qualify for the Play-Offs at Thermen Bussloo in August 2026, offering a further route to the world stage.

New for the UK in 2026, the Modern Classic Aufguss category celebrates the roots of the discipline, focusing on traditional technique, ritual structure, and refined heat distribution. The winner of this category will qualify for the World Finals at Farris Bad later in 2026.

Both competitions will be judged by an international jury of certified Aufguss experts, ensuring the highest standards of fairness, professionalism, and alignment with global best practice.

“The introduction of the Modern Classic category alongside Performance Aufguss represents a huge step forward for Aufguss in the UK. It allows us to honour tradition while celebrating innovation, giving Sauna Masters at all levels the opportunity to grow, refine their craft, and compete internationally. We are thrilled to return to Galgorm, a resort that truly understands and supports authentic sauna culture.”

— Deborah Carr, UK Aufguss Lead, British Sauna Society

A destination event for guests and competitors

The combined format is expected to bring fresh energy and depth to the championships, creating a compelling experience for spectators and spa guests, while providing a richer competitive platform for Sauna Masters at every stage of their journey. Alongside the competition itself, visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere celebrating contemporary sauna culture, ritual, and wellbeing.

Crucially for competitors, the 2026 championships will also feature attractive cash prizes, adding further incentive for ambitious Sauna Masters to step onto the national stage and test themselves against the UK’s best.

“The UK Aufguss Championships are always an incredible experience, and Galgorm is a fantastic setting for such a high-energy and creative competition. It’s a really fun event to be part of, with an amazing atmosphere, and as reigning UK champion, I’m really looking forward to returning, defending the title, and seeing what the next wave of Sauna Masters brings to the competition.”

— Zak Moore, Reigning UK Aufguss Champion

A valuable business investment for saunas and spas

The championships also highlight the wider value of investing in Aufguss within spa and wellbeing businesses. Spas that actively sponsor and support their teams to train and compete consistently report significant commercial and cultural returns. Investment in high-quality sauna ritual programmes has been shown to drive stronger member retention, increased guest satisfaction, and deeper engagement with thermal spa offerings — reinforcing sauna as both a cultural centrepiece and a powerful business asset.

“We are delighted to welcome the UK Aufguss Championships back to Galgorm in 2026 and to once again host the British Sauna Society within our Thermal Spa Village. Sauna has always been at the heart of our wellbeing offering, and Aufguss plays an important role in how we deliver immersive, authentic thermal experiences for our guests. Following the success of the championships here in 2024, it’s a privilege to provide a setting where world-class sauna mastery, tradition and innovation can be experienced at this level.”

— Tara Moore, Associate Director of Spa Operations, Galgorm Resort

Tickets and entry.

Galgorm Resort are offering day and overnight packages starting from just £85 - more details, as well as participant information for competitors, are available via the British Sauna Society website.

To book tickets, plan your visit, or find out how to enter:

www.britishsaunasociety.org.uk/uk-aufguss-championships

Hospitality group, Galgorm Collection has donated funds to local primary school, Kells and Connor PS, to support the purchase of new iPads for the school’s pupils to use.

Kells and Connor Primary School is situated just outside Ballymena and has over 200 pupils attending the school from the surrounding rural area.

Colin Johnston, CEO, Galgorm Collection said:

“We are delighted to provide a donation to Kells and Connor Primary School for the purchase of new iPads. Access to quality, up-to-date technology is vital for children to learn digital skills from a young age and at Galgorm, we understand how much businesses rely on digital technology, so it is fantastic that children have the opportunity to learn and develop these skills early.”

Digital learning complements traditional learning methods within Northern Ireland primary schools and an in-depth research project conducted by Stranmillis University College found that young children's maths, English and communication skills improve if they use iPads in school on a regular basis.

Kells and Connor Primary School Principal, Simon Finlay welcomed the donation from Galgorm Collection saying:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Galgorm Collection for its kind donation of £1,000 and continued support of our school. With this funding, we will be able to purchase new iPads which will be hugely beneficial to support learning in the classroom.

“With the current budget restraints faced by schools across the country, we are relying more and more on the generosity of local companies such as Galgorm Collection to help us provide essential learning tools.

“Using iPads in the classroom has been proven to boost children’s literacy, numeracy, and communication skills and makes learning more engaging and fun through interactive apps. We find that incorporating them into our daily learning schedule is helping to build essential digital skills, which is especially helpful to children with special needs or those who struggle with traditional teaching methods. The use of iPads has helped our young children to be more motivated and engaged in class.”

Galgorm Collection is committed to supporting local communities which it does through charitable donations, educational partnerships and inviting local schools and colleges to visit its premises. The company is a major local employer and has dramatically scaled up its hospitality footprint and workforce over the last decade. As its growth continues, so does the company's unwavering commitment to both economic impact and community support.