Breakfast at Ballygally Castle: farm to table at its finest
Ballygally Castle, Ballygally, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ballygally Castle is on the scenic Antrim Coast Road in County Antrim. It overlooks the Irish Sea and the coast of Scotland.
view from Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland
Ballygally Castle is now a Hastings Hotel and Northern Ireland’s only 17th century building still used as a residence. The former defense wall surrounds a beautiful garden and there is a serene riverside walk, making this is an enchanting wedding venue.
garden area of Ballygally Castle
Many say Ballygally Castle is the most haunted place in Ulster. An inscription above the turret door dates to 1625, the year castle was completed by Lord James Shaw.
Ballygally Castle, Ballygally, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
The door leads to the Ghost Room, said to be the last place Lady Isabella Shaw, his wife, was seen alive. Lord Shaw wanted a male heir and was not pleased when she gave birth to a daughter.
haunted room, Ballygally Castle, Coastal Causeway, Northern Ireland
Another door, this one built from fallen trees at the Dark Hedges, leads to the dining room. It was intricately carved for an episode of the “Game of Thrones.”
Dramatic landscapes featured in that television series are nearby.
“Game of Thrones” Door, Ballygally Castle, Coastal Causeway, Northern Ireland
The restaurant’s menu features items creatively prepared from locally sourced foods. The seafood chowder, a meal in itself, Glenarm Organic Salmon and Carnbrooke Northern Irish Salt Aged Cannon Steak are popular choices.
Glenarm Organic Salmon at Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland
seafood chowder, a meal in itself, Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland
The morning’s buffet includes the finest components of an Irish cooked breakfast and much more. Here are some of the specialties.
breakfast bacon and sausage
tomatoes and beans
scrambled eggs
black & white pudding & mushrooms
soda bread
Guinness bread
White’s Porridge Oats
Bushmills whiskey and honey for porridge
A wee book on each breakfast table tells the tales of other local fare like the White’s Porridge Oats served with Waggle Dance honey and Bushmills Whiskey, yogurt from the Marchioness of Dufferin’s estate, and Guinness Wholegrain Bread.
breakfast book
Clandeboye Yoghurt
Gracehill Black and White Puddings
Get Fresh Tomatoes
White’s Porridge Oats
Bushmill’s Whiskey
The scrambled eggs were the best we have tasted at a buffet. Add in the suit of armor and pair of thrones for a notable experience.
foyer, Ballygally Castle
dining room, Ballygally Castle
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