Business journalist at The Irish Newshttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lofyphqsji2hThe Irish whiskey distillery breathing new life into Donegal’s Gaeltacht https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/the-irish-whiskey-distillery-breathing-new-life-into-donegals-gaeltacht-4LVC74SHNJHJDC6KVGF6MJ3QM4/05 May 2025 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lofyphqsji2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lnmp2uqnnk2vBelfast hospitality group launches bid for new city centre hotel and entry bar complex https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-hospitality-group-launches-bid-for-new-city-centre-hotel-and-entry-bar-complex-56SKVAF7GRFFZHLUVYXIAM4LRY/25 Apr 2025 07:26 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnmp2uqnnk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lmwx7hfpcj2jBelfast Whiskey Social: Irish and Scottish producers to take part in major drinks event https://www.irishnews.com/news/belfast-whiskey-social-irish-and-scottish-producers-to-take-part-in-major-drinks-event-HZWIFB4G4NBOVKHHGZFJR3HQ7M/16 Apr 2025 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmwx7hfpcj2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lmjzhxzyog2tEbrington Hotel owners set to acquire Da Vinci’s in Derry https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/ebrington-hotel-owners-set-to-acquire-da-vincis-in-derry-TBFIUA2XT5D73MDSRZWY3PKHZ4/11 Apr 2025 12:29 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmjzhxzyog2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lmh3uf3ouc2eThe average home rental listing in Belfast increased 2.3% in the last quarter to £1,127 per month, according to PropertyPal (+9.6% y/y). NI rent average is up to £960p/m (+1.9% q/q +8.5% y/y). Big increase in Lisburn & Castlereagh as well +10.5% y/y. https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/average-rental-listing-for-a-home-in-belfast-increased-to-1127-per-month-last-quarter-propertypal-62PNGP4NB5C2NFSNBRGUQQKJWI/10 Apr 2025 08:34 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmh3uf3ouc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lmbuiqgdsc2kA 148-bed Belfast Premier Inn hotel has been bought by the Beannchor Group in a deal understood to be worth around £8.6m https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/merchant-hotel-owner-buys-belfast-premier-inn-on-the-market-for-85m-ZXAIIJJJN5DLHGO3JWFSCXIS3I/08 Apr 2025 06:39 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmbuiqgdsc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lm2eqr2tcz2vFairly big pub news in Derry City. The Downey brothers have acquired Peadar O’Donnell’s. Take over was completed on Friday. https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/derry-pub-peadar-odonnells-acquired-by-downey-group-in-multi-million-pound-deal-OBISPNREEZCZVHRSXXINNC2AMU/05 Apr 2025 07:09 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lm2eqr2tcz2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3llt5rzvfni23Easyjet steps in at City of Derry Airport to reinstate route pulled by Ryanair last week https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/easyjet-steps-in-at-city-of-derry-airport-to-reinstate-route-pulled-by-ryanair-last-week-2OMI3SY535ER3ESL75KAYWSUYQ/02 Apr 2025 10:15 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3llt5rzvfni23https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3llr2r2evza2aFamily-run hospitality group confirm purchase of Armagh City Hotel https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/family-run-hospitality-group-confirm-purchase-of-armagh-city-hotel-PG74JCNRAFBG3DRVCDHYTHAEUA/01 Apr 2025 14:16 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3llr2r2evza2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3llqq2aexyn23Moxy: Co Down man’s fast-growing hotel group prepares to open its first Northern Ireland venue https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/moxy-co-down-mans-fast-growing-hotel-group-prepares-to-open-its-first-northern-ireland-venue-A7GP3DZOIJFM3D73T4LNQYUNMY/01 Apr 2025 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3llqq2aexyn23https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3llqetzi46q2rAfter more than a century of family ownership, McAtee's Bar in Fintona is up for sale https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/co-tyrone-family-to-sell-well-known-bar-and-restaurant-after-a-century-of-ownership-PXJDSKBTKZFEPO63JXJGN3HG4Y/01 Apr 2025 07:44 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3llqetzi46q2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ll6sazlu3s2aBelfast watchmaker Nomadic to open new city centre shop and assembly line https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-watchmaker-nomadic-to-open-new-city-centre-store-and-assembly-line-QRP3W6ADKNG7JHLA2SFG447ZDQ/25 Mar 2025 07:56 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll6sazlu3s2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ll4ltqrpvr2rIrish whiskey bonder’s sales soar by 50% after signing up with Bournemouth and Vegas Golden Knights owner https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/newry-irish-whiskey-bonder-sees-sales-soar-by-50-after-signing-up-up-with-bournemouth-and-vegas-knights-owner-M2HPEWWZ7VHYNDAEYTYZBKN6EU/24 Mar 2025 10:56 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll4ltqrpvr2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lkq4qy555p23Santander to shut seven more bank branches in Northern Ireland this summer https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/santander-to-shut-seven-more-bank-branches-in-northern-ireland-this-summer-BPOXY6PFTBFT5F2YHVSLZOAUYQ/19 Mar 2025 11:54 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkq4qy555p23https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lkq4pv3ivg2oThe Range to open two new stores in former Homebase sites in Northern Ireland https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/the-range-to-open-two-new-stores-in-former-homebase-sites-in-co-down-and-tyrone-UDUBQRF6CRD73ETSTQ4Z75XFCI/19 Mar 2025 11:53 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkq4pv3ivg2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lknq3ixhzp26Co Down hotel where Churchill and Eisenhower stayed is up for sale https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/co-down-hotel-where-churchill-and-eisenhower-stayed-is-up-for-sale-FN3NAS72FFEVDETRIJHCCGT56Q/18 Mar 2025 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lknq3ixhzp26https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lkd5jx2hks2hDupe fragrances are big business. From a bedroom start-up in 2019, Connor Martin's JAQ Group now employs 230 from a base outside Randalstown. The company is now planning to invest £11m opening a 2nd facility in Co Antrim, which could create 300 jobs https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/dupe-fragrance-founder-launches-11m-bid-for-new-factory-in-ballymena-creating-300-jobs-BGPAC4RDSZGNFE4LBC4GQ522RU/14 Mar 2025 08:03 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkd5jx2hks2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lkargweehc2dPropertyPal's analysis suggests monthly mortgage payments for the average first-time buyer have fallen back below the average rent costs for a 2/3-bed home. Rate cuts appear to be filtering through, but rent inflation does not appear to be slowing down. https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/price-of-new-build-houses-in-northern-ireland-rising-at-more-than-twice-the-rate-of-inflation-GCA62C54ARGJVJMQND4AEDRTTU/13 Mar 2025 09:21 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkargweehc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljzqybp4vs2qNot surprised given Translink launched a card payment system on buses that can't be used to accept contactless payment for topping up travel cards. I still have to pay in cash to top my iLink travel card. Translink only admitted this after weeks of back-and-forth. https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/hurdles-at-grand-central-station-for-cross-border-passengers-embarrassing-after-promised-new-era-for-irish-travel-T6Q5CFT73NHP7BG2BZAG3GAUJM/10 Mar 2025 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljzqybp4vs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljzfafqs422eThe first ever restaurant week in Mid Ulster begins today in a bid to showcase the culinary talent and local ingredients of Tyrone and Derry. https://buff.ly/tkkh0jR10 Mar 2025 10:54 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljzfafqs422ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljzf7dxtso2lClover acquire Belfast’s listed Clarence Chambers in £5.5m plan to open latest hospitality venture Rudi https://buff.ly/aKTEXI210 Mar 2025 10:54 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljzf7dxtso2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljp4ehf73a2tBushmills is launching a new 46yo whiskey, which claims to be the oldest Irish single malt ever released. Just 38/300 bottles of 'Secrets of the River Bush’ will be released on the island on March 17th. https://buff.ly/Gfdzwj306 Mar 2025 08:49 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljp4ehf73a2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljoy5gald22iFirmus to cut Ten Towns domestic gas tariff by 11.84% on April 1 following utility reg review. No change for SSE customers in Greater Belfast. Both regulated tariffs broadly average £1k per year (based on avg use), which is around double what customers paid c.5 years ago. https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/gas-households-on-ten-towns-network-set-for-12-tariff-cut-from-april-1-72TGYTYSW5CZLP6UGGOSYUPQIE/06 Mar 2025 07:33 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljoy5gald22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljkfdedo7z2nThe Blind Piglet: Dormans prepare to unveil new £750k live music and street food venue in Magherafelt https://buff.ly/ljiULvb04 Mar 2025 11:46 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljkfdedo7z2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljk2odo4is2dThe CEO of Invest NI has said "the possibility of relocating" should be among the options when discussing the future utilisation of the organisation's Belfast headquarters https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/invest-ni-chief-says-relocation-should-be-on-the-table-for-discussion-on-future-of-belfast-headquarters-GO3I2XJLCJA5FNHSGTV7SQXBHE/04 Mar 2025 08:35 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljk2odo4is2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lji6j7pfdv2mIrish hospitality group NolaClan has placed House Belfast, its only NI venue, on the market. The 31-bed hotel opened in 2018 in the former Madison's site after being sold by Nama in 2016. NolaClan have it on a 20yr lease from Havana Ltd (Shamus Jennings) https://buff.ly/VnfZwMW03 Mar 2025 14:39 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lji6j7pfdv2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3ljhv55rgt624MRP has said its new street food market planned for the old Europa bus station is expected to open this summer (subject to planning). Will be known as 'Halt', creating up to 40 jobs. Will also be a 'community hub' dimension. Co-operation Ireland has confirmed it's moving to the site https://buff.ly/QoCQxWH03 Mar 2025 11:51 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljhv55rgt624https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3lj3sm74kvc2zFrank Allen, who as CEO of the Republic's RPA for a decade, oversaw of the roll-out of the Luas network, has been named as the new chair of Translink's parent entity, the NI Transport Holding Company. https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/man-who-oversaw-luas-development-is-new-chair-of-the-norths-public-transport-body-6GOQVWPOAJDRDH5PPOHP2RJEXA/26 Feb 2025 16:34 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj3sm74kvc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3liyoxe3e4j2bGreggs closes in on 30 stores in the north following green light for new outlet at The Junction https://buff.ly/3Qyt7Kv25 Feb 2025 10:50 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3liyoxe3e4j2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanmcaleer.bsky.social/post/3liybum5ie227Record year for ferry freight, grain and feedstuffs at Belfast Harbour https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/record-year-for-ferry-freight-grain-and-feedstuffs-at-belfast-harbour-IP7EVGETEZF3DN7KZIN2EXXGHA/25 Feb 2025 06:56 +0000at://did:plc:7b5ehsgu4euux4a2leykepes/app.bsky.feed.post/3liybum5ie227