Tullyglass Hotel & Residences has undergone some changes to its long-standing Ballymena hotel to reconnect with its roots. The newly refurbished McAllister’s Whiskey Lounge is a lovely tribute to the old Tullyglass House.
This redesign, by Laura Cleary, hints at the old heritage of McAllister’s Irish Whiskey and the local landscapes surrounding the long-standing hotel.
Their newly renovated restaurant is part of a two-year programme. With an expenditure of some £2 million which has at one level helped many local businesses through some difficult times. At another, improved the already impressive facilities of The
Tullyglass and brought them to a new level.
McAllister’s Whiskey Lounge
Using a mixture of rustic, bright and dark tones to create a lounge suitable for fine dining, afternoon tea, lunch dates or an evening of drinks. This new look comes with a redesigned food and drinks menu with the star of the show, McAllister’s Whiskey displayed throughout the lounge.
But why McAllister’s Whiskey Lounge you ask?
The complete reimagining and theming of McAllister’s Bar and Restaurant reflect the ownership of Tullyglass House by James McAllister. He established a whiskey distillery in Ballymena. Through his distilling expertise and marketing abilities built a number of McAllister brands, achieving sales throughout Europe and as far afield as North America.
One bottle was even found in the wreckage of The Titanic, would you believe it?
Bringing the history to life
Under his ownership, from 1910 to 1953, he brought many celebrities to Tullyglass House. Along with business clients and politicians from across the world, with the grand dining room having many stories to tell.
While some of this McAllister heritage is reflected in displays of related historical artefacts, the theming of McAllister’s Bar and Restaurant was carefully designed to combine this rich past. With a design flair to provide exceptional levels of comfort and attention to detail.
This includes, references to The Giant’s Causeway in the hexagonal table pedestals, and the use of linen wallpapers, harking back to the days when Northern Ireland supplied much of the linen used throughout the world.
This is complemented by hand-crafted side tables made of petrified wood. Other unusual pieces of bespoke furniture which have also been used not only in McAllister’s Bar but also in the new reception and other areas in the hotel.
The usage of locally sourced wooden flooring links different elements throughout The Tullyglass. Hinting at restoration of the original and beautiful cornicing and other features, all reflecting hints of the grandeur of the original Tullyglass House in its heyday.
Behind the bar can be seen a carefully sourced collection of many different Irish whiskeys and the display of J.Mc.Allister & Sons whiskey reflects the rebirth of the McAllister brand, now being experienced by a whole new generation of connoisseurs.
These latest changes are just the tip of the iceberg for the Ballymena hotel. Keep an eye out for what is to come!