End of an era for Bohill

A planning application, by Zest Investments (Bohill) Ltd, for a proposed nursing care facility and five low dependency bungalows was passed at a Coleraine Borough Council meeting in January,.

Last Thursday, bulldozers moved in to clear the site, ripping down the final steelwork and foundations.

Originally the land belonged to local farmer Jack Stewart whose family owned a flax mill at the bottom of the Bohill lane.

Mr Stewart's daughter married a Scottish man called McEwan, and the pair turned the site into a self service Inn.

Ivor Boyd, a former owner of the three star hotel, recalled: "The self service Bohill Auto Inn, was something very new for the area. A real American thing."

Ivor took over the business and turned it into a hotel in the late 70's. He later added a Country Club.

"We had 36 bedrooms and we were busy 24/7," said Ivor, who runs the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine.

"The hotel was a three star, and it was used by everyone. We used to accommodate visitors for many of the big events in the area.

"Our function room held many weddings and events and the Bohill Hotel and Country Club became one of the best in the Province."

Ivor sold the hotel on to the McGimpsey brothers, it was later owned by golfer Darren Clarke and two friends, Gavi