A heritage charity chaired by former DUP MP Ian Paisley has submitted plans to invest £14 million in restoring Galgorm Castle in Ballymena into a hotel, events, and cultural hub, according to The Irish News.

The proposals involve developing a 30-bedroom boutique hotel in the Jacobean castle and stables.

Galgorm Castle Education and Preservation Limited has taken a 100-year lease on the historic building from the Galgorm Collection hotel group. The charity proposes turning the estate's Ploughman's House into a 120-seater performance centre for traditional music and arts, whilst a ruined church on the site could become an intimate 60-seater heritage hub.

The project, subject to funding, has potential to create 90 jobs when fully completed. The Galgorm Collection, which acquired the Ballymena estate from the Brooke family 16 months ago, will operate the new castle hotel subject to planning approval.

Ian Paisley said: "Our vision is to move beyond piecemeal development and address the estate's decline through a single, holistic and genuinely transformative plan; one that respects Galgorm's built fabric, honours its intangible heritage, and recognises the special place it holds in the heart of the community. We believe the proposal achieves an exciting and carefully considered balance between commercial viability and clear, lasting public benefit."

Other directors include Belfast TradFest's director Dónal O'Connor and Karly Greene, a director at the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and board member of Tourism NI.

The castle dates back to 1618 and was reportedly used by the Duke of Württemberg, a leading Williamite general at the Battle of the Boyne. The castle was later the birthplace of renowned Irish language scholar Rose Young.

Access the complete details regarding the restoration proposal through the detailed full report.