Derelict Antrim Arms Hotel Demolished Amid Safety Concerns in Ballycastle

The Antrim Arms Hotel, a derelict Georgian building in Ballycastle, has been demolished due to safety concerns after standing vacant for over a decade, delaying a £2m town centre regeneration project.

Demolition of Historic Antrim Arms Hotel

A derelict Georgian building formerly known as the Antrim Arms Hotel has been demolished in Ballycastle, County Antrim. Parts of the structure are believed to date back to the 1760s. The building had been vacant for over ten years, and an application to demolish it was refused in the previous year.

The former Antrim Arms hotel in Ballycastle town centre in September 2025. The large cream-coloured building has six front windows on each of its three floors and the sign above the front door says — Image caption, An application to demolish the property was refused last year

The property had been cordoned off for more than a year due to concerns regarding its structural integrity. Shipping containers were positioned outside the building to protect pedestrians during the town's annual event, the Ould Lammas Fair.

A large digger is pictured over the rubble of a building. A large gap is visible between two exterior buildings and a number of cordons are in place — Image caption, The site where the Antrim Arms Hotel once stood remained cordoned off on Thursday morning following the demolition

Impact on Town Regeneration Plans

There were concerns that a £2 million regeneration project for the town centre was delayed because of uncertainty about the future of the building located at the junction of Castle Street and Fairhill Street. The Ballycastle environmental improvement scheme includes plans to upgrade the town's Diamond area and surrounding streets, with an original completion target of March 2027.

Legal and Safety Proceedings

At a hearing in January of the previous year, a judge acknowledged that the site was dangerous. Despite the refusal of the demolition application, the building was ultimately taken down for safety reasons.

Opposition and Preservation Efforts

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS), an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving historic buildings, opposed the demolition plans. The society advocated for the owners to undertake repairs rather than demolish the building.

Arson Incident and Fire Response

In April, an arson attack caused damage to the listed building, forcing a family living adjacent to the hotel to evacuate their home. The fire required the efforts of more than 40 firefighters to bring under control.

Official Responses

NI has reached out to the Department for Communities (DfC) and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for comments regarding the demolition and related matters.