Nestled in the heart of the South Derry countryside in the picturesque village of Swatragh is the award-winning Friels Bar, Restaurant, Motorhome Park. Coming soon Friels Famine & Folklore visitor centre.

This historic traditional property is run by the fifth generation of the Friel family.

A listed building established in 1835, it still has the original ornate wooden bar and ceiling intact in the Public Bar.

Over the years, Friels has been used as a Doctor’s Surgery, Post Office, Hotel and Coaching Inn. Dr Mooney and his wife Sarah, set up a Soup Kitchen here during the Great Famine in the 1840’s and the original Famine Pot is on display.

Conveniently located halfway between Belfast and Derry and only 25mins from the North Coast, Giants Causeway and Portrush, Friels is a popular choice for lunch and dinner stops for hungry travellers.

Where the Guinness flows and tales are told, you’ll truly get sense of belonging from every inch of this family-run business. The welcome is as warm as the fire that burns in the hearth.

Sustainability very important to us and local produce is a key feature in our menus. When we decided to introduce Moilie beef to our offering we were delighted to discover, Decky O’Kane a regular and very popular performer and singer in Friels, and his uncle Seamus farm the beef on our door step.

Decky and Seamus run Rathcarn Farm in the neighbouring parish of Slaughtneil in Carntogher foothills. All of Rathcarn’s bullocks are finished in Driom nDammh (Drumnaph) nature reserve, which is totally organic and full of herbs. We work closely with Seamus & Declan in Rathcarn to ensure our customers experience in the best quality flavourful beef. Prepared and cooked by our top-quality chefs, our Moilie beef has always been a firm favourite with our customers.