Visit Belfast Forges New Link With Galgorm Collection

Local club celebrates continued support from valued sponsor

Award winning hospitality group, Galgorm Collection has announced its continuing support for local sports club, the Ballymena Runners. The new five-year partnership will see Galgorm Collection as the main sponsor of the popular all-female Ballymena Belles Race in April 2027, with the company’s logo featured on all club members’ quarter zip tops.

Initially established around 35 years ago and based at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena, the club boasts 370 members of all abilities. Practising the ethos of ‘running is for everyone’ the club is also firmly committed to contributing to the local community through regular outreach and charity events.

As one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality groups, with a portfolio encompassing hotels, restaurants and golf experiences, Galgorm Collection continues to invest in organisations and individuals that drive participation, wellbeing and positive social impact at a local level. As the Group continues to grow, its focus remains firmly on delivering meaningful economic and social impact across the region.

“At Galgorm Collection, we are passionate about supporting health, wellbeing and community initiatives that make a real difference to the people around us,” said Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection. "Partnering with Ballymena Runners for the next five years, and supporting The Ballymena Belles 5 Mile race, is a natural fit as a number of the Collection’s employees are also members of the Club.

“Sport develops so many skills that are equally valuable in the workplace: from teamwork and perseverance to dedication, resilience and problem-solving. As a Collection employing more than 1,400 people across Northern Ireland, we see the value of these qualities every day in our teams.

“We recognise that Ballymena Runners plays an important role beyond running, bringing people together, encouraging participation and giving back to the local community. Everyone in Galgorm Collection is delighted to be supporting the Club and its positive impact on the people and communities around us. We are looking forward to cheering on the Ballymena Belle participants and all club members proudly displaying our logo on their kit.”

Meanwhile, Raymond Ruck, Chair of Ballymena Runners, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Galgorm Collection as our main partner for the next five years. Their backing is a huge vote of confidence in our club, our members, and the Belles race. To have such a respected local brand on our kit and supporting one of our flagship events is fantastic for Ballymena Runners. We can’t wait to work together to grow running in our community."

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.

New initiative with Sleepy Hollow Group provides subsidised childcare as award-winning hospitality group strengthens support for working families

Galgorm Collection will become the first hospitality provider in Northern Ireland to provide its employees with access to subsidised childcare, in an industry-leading partnership that reinforces the group’s commitment to supporting working families across the hospitality sector.

The new initiative, delivered in partnership with leading childcare provider Sleepy Hollow Group, will provide Galgorm Collection’s 1,100 team members with access to discounted childcare places, helping to reduce one of the biggest financial and practical issues facing working parents and carers.

The scheme represents a significant investment in supporting working families and is designed to remove childcare barriers that can prevent parents and carers from entering, returning to or progressing within the workforce, while supporting greater work-life balance for existing employees.

As part of the partnership, a new childcare facility, due to open in October 2026, will operate from Galgorm Courtyard Business Park, serving team members based at Galgorm Collection’s flagship property Galgorm, as well as local families across the wider Ballymena area. Employees working across Galgorm Collection's wider portfolio will also benefit from priority access and discounted rates at Sleepy Hollow Group locations throughout Northern Ireland.

The benefit will be available to all Galgorm Collection employees from day one of service, regardless of role. The scheme is the latest addition to Galgorm Collection's employee experience strategy and builds upon an extensive range of benefits already available to employees, including private healthcare, complimentary spa access, discounted overnight stays, training and development programmes, employee wellbeing initiatives, and referral bonuses.

The hospitality group, which became the first on the island of Ireland to achieve Great Place to Work certification across its entire portfolio, continues to invest significantly in initiatives designed to support employee wellbeing and long-term career development.

Laura Millar, People and Development Associate Director at Galgorm Collection, said:

“We know that childcare can be one of the biggest challenges facing working families and we wanted to introduce a meaningful solution that would make a real difference to our team members' everyday lives. As a major employer with more than 1,100 team members across Northern Ireland, we are continually looking at ways to strengthen our employee offering and help people build rewarding, long-term careers with us.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do and this partnership with Sleepy Hollow Group reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel genuinely supported both professionally and personally.”

Sleepy Hollow Group, one of Northern Ireland's most established childcare providers, brings more than 30 years of experience supporting children, families and employers through high-quality childcare services.

The organisation operates a network of childcare settings across Northern Ireland, including Early Childhood Centres and Primary Schools, and is recognised for its child-centred approach, which encourages creativity, independence and development through play-based learning experiences.

Nikolai Koplewsky, Director of Sleepy Hollow Group, said:

"We are delighted to partner with Galgorm Collection to establish this new childcare facility and make high-quality childcare more accessible for working families. By combining our expertise in early years education with Galgorm Collection's commitment to employee wellbeing, we can offer practical support that helps parents and carers balance family life with their careers.

"In addition to the new facility at Galgorm Courtyard Business Park, team members will benefit from priority access and discounted rates across our wider network of locations throughout Northern Ireland. We look forward to supporting Galgorm Collection employees and their families for many years to come."

The childcare scheme forms part of Galgorm Collection's wider people strategy, which focuses on employee wellbeing, skills development, career progression and workplace culture. With a broad range of opportunities available across its portfolio of hotels, restaurants, spas, golf facilities and corporate functions, the group continues to recruit for positions across hospitality, culinary, food and beverage, housekeeping, spa, leisure, administration and management teams.

For more information on current roles available across Galgorm Collection, and to apply, visit https://www.galgormcollection.com/work-with-us.html

ELEMIS Brings its iconic Skin Spa Airstream to Ireland for the first time – Hosted Exclusively at Galgorm

Luxury skincare brand ELEMIS visits Ireland this August as its iconic Skin Spa Airstream arrives in Ireland for the very first time. The award-winning Galgorm will host this exclusive pop-up experience from Wednesday 27th to Sunday 31st August, marking a major milestone for beauty and wellness fans across the island.

Fresh from a high-profile appearance at the British Grand Prix, the ELEMIS Skin Spa Airstream will make a special pit stop at Galgorm to coincide with the Black Desert NI Legends Event. The activation will bring ELEMIS’ renowned high-tech, high-touch expertise to guests in a unique, luxury mobile spa setting - all against the vibrant backdrop of championship golf.

Visitors will have the chance to step inside the sleek Airstream and enjoy:

Expert Skin Analysis: Using a HD Skin Diagnostic Camera to analyse your complexion’s unique needs, an ELEMIS Skin Specialist will create a personalised skincare prescription.

Express Touch Treatment: Combining expert touch with innovative skincare and CryoGlobes to calm and sculpt, this facial will leave you feeling instantly revitalised.

Express Tech Treatment: This restorative treatment includes high-tech LED light therapy while binaural sound frequencies are played through headphones to relax and rejuvenate.

Each 15-minute treatment is priced at £25 and fully redeemable against any product purchase on the day, giving guests the perfect opportunity to try and take home their ideal ELEMIS products.

With over 30 years of expertise, ELEMIS blends the best of science, nature, and skin wisdom, delivering visible results for millions of clients worldwide. In 2023, the brand achieved B Corp certification, highlighting its dedication to using business as a force for good.

“This is the first time the ELEMIS Skin Spa Airstream has visited Ireland, and we are thrilled to be hosting it here at Galgorm,” said Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations at Galgorm Collection.  “It’s an unforgettable way for guests to experience world-class skincare in an entirely new setting.”

Event Details:

Location: Galgorm, 200 Galgorm Rd, Ballymena BT42 1HL

Dates: Wednesday 27th – Sunday 31st August 2025

Times: 10am – 5pm daily

NI Collegiate Invitational to Bring Leading U.S. University Golf Programs to Galgorm Castle for International Competition

A landmark moment for collegiate golf is set to arrive in 2027 with the launch of the NI Collegiate Invitational, a new international championship set to become the first Division I collegiate golf tournament held in Northern Ireland. Scheduled for September 5-9, 2027, at the acclaimed Galgorm Resort the inaugural event will bring leading U.S. university golf programs together for a world-class competition in one of golf's most celebrated elite destinations.

Developed through a strategic partnership between Cara Group Travel, Boardwalk Sports, and Galgorm, the NI Collegiate Invitational brings together leaders in international sports travel, collegiate event management, and championship golf operations to create a new global showcase for collegiate golf. The partners share a vision of establishing Northern Ireland as the home of one of the most distinctive and prestigious events on the collegiate golf calendar.

"College golf continues to evolve, and we believe the next frontier is global competition," said Sara Stanton, Managing Director of Cara Group Travel. "The NI Collegiate Invitational is about much more than golf. It is about creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience where student-athletes compete at the highest level while gaining exposure to a different culture, a European golfing environment, and a broader perspective on the game that originated in the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland offers a championship setting unlike anywhere else in the world."

The tournament is expected to feature up to 16 leading Division I men's golf programs competing in both team and individual championships as part of their regular-season Division I schedules. Organizers believe the event represents a significant step forward in the globalisation of collegiate sports and could serve as a model for future international competitions.

Hosted at the acclaimed Galgorm Castle Golf Club, the championship venue stands among the most distinguished tournament courses in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Home to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2020 and a long-time host of the Northern Ireland Open, Galgorm Castle has welcomed some of the biggest names in professional golf while earning an international reputation for championship-calibre competition. Most recently, the venue hosted the NI Legends on the European Legends Tour, with Steve Alker (New Zealand) victorious, making it three wins in three weeks for the Kiwi following two PGA Tour Champions wins before travelling across the pond for the NI Legends. Against this backdrop of professional excellence, the championship will offer student-athletes a rare opportunity to compete on the same fairways that have challenged tour winners and major champions, while experiencing the rich golfing culture that has made Northern Ireland one of the sport's most revered destinations.

"Galgorm has earned an international reputation for delivering exceptional championship golf experiences, and we are delighted to play a role in bringing this groundbreaking event to Northern Ireland," said Gary Henry, Group Golf Director, Galgorm Collection. "Welcoming some of America's premier university golf programs to compete here reflects both the quality of the venue and Northern Ireland's standing as a global golf destination. We believe this event has the potential to become one of the most prestigious international experiences in collegiate golf. It represents a unique opportunity to showcase our championship course, our hospitality, and the incredible golf offering that exists throughout Northern Ireland to the next generation of elite players."

Northern Ireland has established itself as one of the world's premier golf destinations, home to iconic courses, major championship venues, and a rich tradition of golfing excellence. The NI Collegiate Invitational aims to leverage that momentum while building stronger connections between collegiate athletics, international travel, and sport tourism.

"This is exactly the type of innovative event that can help redefine what's possible in collegiate golf," said Rich Ensor, Chief Executive Officer of Boardwalk Sports. "Today's student-athletes are looking for experiences that combine meaningful competition with personal growth, international exposure, and lifelong memories. By creating a championship of this calibre in Northern Ireland, we are providing universities with an opportunity unlike any other currently available in collegiate golf. We believe the NI Collegiate Invitational can become a marquee event that attracts many of the top programs in collegiate golf while helping to further internationalise the sport."

Recent changes to collegiate athletics travel regulations have created new opportunities for institutions to expand their international competition schedules, helping pave the way for innovative events such as the NI Collegiate Invitational. Organisers expect the combination of elite competition, a world-class venue, and an extraordinary destination experience to make the championship one of the most attractive events on the collegiate golf calendar. The organisers expect to soon announce the 2027 field and its broadcast partner.

In addition to competition at Galgorm Castle, participating student-athletes will have the opportunity to experience Northern Ireland's culture, hospitality, and globally acclaimed golf landscape, further distinguishing the event from traditional collegiate tournaments.

With interest already building among leading Division I programs and key industry partners, organizers believe the NI Collegiate Invitational has the potential to become a defining event in collegiate golf. Envisioned as an annual fixture on the collegiate golf calendar, the championship aims to establish a new benchmark for international competition by bringing elite university programs to one of the world's great golf destinations. More than a tournament, the NI Collegiate Invitational seeks to connect student-athletes, universities, and the global golf community while showcasing Northern Ireland's unique place in the game and helping shape the future of international collegiate golf.