County Down 12th century castle could become a boutique hotel

A CASTLE in County Down, Northern Ireland, could be turned into an eight bedroom boutique hotel if planning permission is given.

An application has been lodged with Ards and North Down Borough Council to convert Quintin Castle near Portaferry into a hotel with conference facilities.

The property can trace its history back to the 12th century although it was mostly restored in the 1800s after becoming little more than a ruin,

The Belfast Telegraph reports that the crisp company Tayto is behind the application and intends it to be used “exclusively by food industry high-fliers and employees and guests of the firm.”