The much-loved North Coast hotel, formerly known as The Londonderry Arms, was acquired by a consortium headed by hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master Irish whiskey distiller, Darryl McNally and entrepreneur Carl Harrison in summer 2024.
Over the last 12 months, the trio – who also own Outwalker and Limavady Whiskey – have completed an extensive yet sensitive restoration of the historic hotel, located on the Causeway Coastal route.
Described as Ireland’s first ‘whiskey hotel,’ The Harbourview is poised to capitalise on the growing whiskey tourism market in Ireland. The hotel bar will serve a collection of over 300 whiskeys, alongside classic whiskey cocktails and a collection of exclusive whiskey tasting flights.
Speaking ahead of the opening, co-owner Adrian McLaughlin, a Ballymena native with extensive experience running some of Ireland’s top hotels, said: “We are excited that our vision for this historic hotel will soon become a reality.
“From the outset, we have endeavoured to build on the legacy of this landmark building, which has been at the cornerstone of the local community for generations.
“The people of Carnlough and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms; and it’s been heartening to see the incredibly positive response from the local community in recent months.
“We’ve poured our passion for Irish whiskey into the development of our unique food and beverage offerings and exciting events programmes. We look forward to toasting the opening of Ireland’s first whiskey hotel, with our first guests in the weeks and months ahead.”
The hotel’s new name is a tribute to the village’s picturesque harbour views and signals a new chapter for the historic property, built inin 1848 by Frances Anne Vane Tempest, and once owned by Sir Winston Churchill. Retaining stunning features including open fires and original terrazzo flooring, the new hotel features a newly refurbished bar, lounge and restaurant, offering the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern Irish hospitality.
Each of the 35 elegantly appointed bedrooms have been completely redecorated and revamped, blending contemporary luxury with timeless style. The emphasis remains squarely on comfort, with a range of spacious single, double, family rooms and suites available.
A diverse programme of events and tasting experiences are planned, with world-famous heritage brands including Midleton and The Macallan sitting alongside Copeland, Bushmills, Ardbeg, Shortcross, plus The Harbourview’s own Outwalker and Limavady whiskeys. The programme, which features monthly events scheduled through to February 2026 also includes boat trips to Islay for guided tours of the Bruichladdich and Ardbeg distilleries.
The Carnlough Whiskey Festival (20- 23August) is a key event on the hotel’s schedule this summer, promising four days of whiskey, music and craic. Featuring local brands Bushmills, Shortcross, Copeland, Outwalker and Limavady, the festival also features a full line-up of live music including The Rogues, The Causeway Shantymen and String Ninjas. Further information on the series of events is available at
theharbourviewhotel.com/whiskey.
To celebrate the opening, a ‘New Beginnings’ package, available for stays between 19 May to 4 June, offers guests the opportunity to be amongst the first to experience the new hotel. Priced from just £180 for a double room with breakfast, the special package includes a complimentary cocktail of your choice from the house cocktail list to toast the hotel’s opening.
The hotel is also poised to whet the appetite for food lovers this summer. The Coach House bar and brasserie offers all day dining from 12-8.30pm daily, and a special Sunday Lunch menu from 12-5pm. Expect hearty homecooked food that evokes a sense of nostalgia, with classic Irish favourites such as seafood chowder, beer battered fish and chips, Guinness braised daube of beef, bacon chop withchamp and cabbage and a whiskey chicken stack already proving firm favourites. View the full menu
here.
The Harbourview’s impressive new MacAuley Suite is now taking bookings for weddings and private events. The beautifully appointed function room caters for over 80 guests and offers the perfect backdrop for couples seeking a stunning Causeway Coast location.
