We're a 5th generation, family run, award winning, Irish Bar and Restaurant nestled in the heart of the South Derry countryside in the picturesque village of Swatragh. We're halfway between Belfast and Derry just off the Glenshane Pass. The bar has been in the family name for over one hundred years.
Friels is a pub with an original wooden ceiling, ornate bar counter and a roaring fire. Walls are lined with historic photographs and Guinness memorabilia- it won't be long till you're craving a pint of the black stuff. We are one of those places with all the charm of an 'old man's pub' but with the buzz of weekend cocktails, family Sunday lunch and coffee catch-ups.
Friels is a pub with an original wooden ceiling, ornate bar counter and a roaring fire. Walls are lined with historic photographs and Guinness memorabilia- it won't be long till you're craving a pint of the black stuff. We are one of those places with all the charm of an 'old man's pub' but with the buzz of weekend cocktails, family Sunday lunch and coffee catch-ups.
Services
We are passionate about using the very best produce and have been a finalist for the Commitment to Local Food award. Our beef is all grass-fed and dry aged for 28 days and is Northern Ireland Farm Assured from McAtamney's butchers. All fruit and vegetables are supplied by Bradmount. Our fish is from the North Atlantic shorelines and eggs are from our neighbours in Glenshane.
A sweet sign-off to the main meal, dessert is one of life's great pleasures and with the choice of Morelli's Ice Creams, there's always room for dessert! For generations, the Morelli family has made ice cream using fresh Double Cream and butter from the historic Ballyrashane Creamery. These rich dairy ingredients are created using milk from cows that graze in the lush green pastures of Northern Ireland's spectacular Causeway Coast.
You'll find that the social heart of Ireland beats loudest in the pubs. As you arrive at Friels during the weekend you're met with the hum of live music, conversation and craic. Rich in history, our public bar is what makes Friels so special. From the original wooden bar and ceiling to the olden time imagery littered on the walls, this is a step back in time- to real Ireland.
If booking a tour group with us you'll have the chance to step back to 1849. Join us in the Inn at Swatragh, and listen to tales of the town, and famine ravaging the land. You'll be welcomed into the soup kitchen and invited to take a taste of the nettle soup served to those who are hungry.
The famine pot which holds the soup, holds the key to the survival of many, for those who were not as fortunate, learn of their fate as the inmates of the local workhouse.You will enjoy a traditional Irish 2-course lunch and have fun with pouring your own Guinness!
The famine pot which holds the soup, holds the key to the survival of many, for those who were not as fortunate, learn of their fate as the inmates of the local workhouse.You will enjoy a traditional Irish 2-course lunch and have fun with pouring your own Guinness!
Yes, you can visit the area easily enough by car, but the surrounding area is best explored on foot, whether you opt for a magical walk down our stony path to Fairy Tree Hill or take on the challenge of The Sperrins. There are mountain hikes such as Carntogher Way where you can steer clear of civilisation and soak up the area rich in mythology and archaeological heritage.
Reviews (18)
Stephanie Foy
Jan 30, 2022
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Nigel Skuce
Jan 30, 2022
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E. K.
Jan 13, 2022
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Laura O'Connor
Jan 10, 2022
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Jean-Robert Hunter Deuling
Dec 26, 2021
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Ivan Mellon
Dec 13, 2021
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Madeline Mullan
Dec 10, 2021
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Jim McCormick
Nov 23, 2021
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Seamus Mcquaid
Oct 14, 2021
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We stayed here Saturday night in our motorhome with our friends Patcy and Pauline who also booked in there motorhome. Phoned ahead to book motorhome pitch and table for 4. No problems and we're treated very professionally. Top facilities for motorhome overnight stay which included electric hook up, toilets, gasete emptying, hard standing, bins, and grey water disposal. Lovely meal in the restaurant which was very reasonably priced
Alex Mellon
Sep 24, 2021
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We parked up at Friels Motorhome park which has services of Electric, Water , sluice and grey waste . Showers coming . It was £20 to stay and £10 voucher to use back in the bar restaurant. We indulged with… lunch and Dinner food was fabulous with outstanding portions. The staff especially Anya made us so welcome as did Dermot who made sure to come and chat and it wasn’t a quick hello . The wine and Guinness were great too . I would definitely recommend stopping at Friels and trying out all of the above . We will return some weekend to take in the live music 🎼 It
Martin Montague
Sep 23, 2021
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Patricia Mc Guckin
Sep 18, 2021
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Murray McDowell
Sep 01, 2021
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Jean Mcguinness
Jun 13, 2021
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Dave Charles Tuhuteru
Jun 11, 2020
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Since we're not from the area...so we didn't know their last order time...we got there like 8.30pm...
But the kitchen staff is very nice...they let us make the order...
The food really nice and the portion is pretty big...
Service staff super friendly...no surprise they won a lot of awards...
If you ever in the area...you must stop here for food...
5 stars all the way...
But the kitchen staff is very nice...they let us make the order...
The food really nice and the portion is pretty big...
Service staff super friendly...no surprise they won a lot of awards...
If you ever in the area...you must stop here for food...
5 stars all the way...
Ashley Ritchie
Jan 08, 2020
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On behalf of Campbell Ritchie Chartered Accountants, I regularly attend networking events with the lovely Mums at Work. This week’s meeting was held at Friel’s Bar & Restaurant in Swatragh. The venue was chosen because it is quite central for those living in the Coleraine/Garvagh/Kilrea/Limavady/Dungiven areas.
I met many new faces:
Deniece from KeepaBeat NI
Vanessa Ledgewood, Farrah Boutique
Deirdre Grant, Delightful Yoga
Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions
Claire McGill, Inner Beauty Dungiven
and also got to meet up with some other great ladies who I’ve met before at these events:
Vicky
I met many new faces:
Deniece from KeepaBeat NI
Vanessa Ledgewood, Farrah Boutique
Deirdre Grant, Delightful Yoga
Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions
Claire McGill, Inner Beauty Dungiven
and also got to meet up with some other great ladies who I’ve met before at these events:
Vicky
Joanie B.
Oct 27, 2019
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OMG! First time to Ireland, visiting from California. Stopped in for a drink and hated to leave!! The entertainment was amazing, Bruno w/guitar rocked the pub! He was absolutely incredible! He knew all the American songs and his Italian opera took it to the next level. Everybody in the pub was singing and enjoying themselves to the fullest! The Irish folk were so kind and made the four of us feel so comfortable....oh what a night!!
I was able to get Bruno and everybody in the pub to pose for a picture,which will always bring back fond memories of my trip to Friels in Swatragh!
I was able to get Bruno and everybody in the pub to pose for a picture,which will always bring back fond memories of my trip to Friels in Swatragh!
Sinead Norton Mums At Work
Jul 20, 2019
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Great morning of networking at Friel’s Bar & Restaurant! We gathered for a meeting of local business women who belong to a networking group called Mums at Work / The MAW Network in Swatragh as it was a central location for those located in Coleraine / Garvagh and Maghera / Magherafelt and we also had attendees from Dungiven.
We were treated to tea / coffee and scones and were able to enjoy privacy and space for networking in a warm and welcoming environment.
The staff were extremely attentive and the service was excellent. There is plenty of room in the restaurant and despite other customers
We were treated to tea / coffee and scones and were able to enjoy privacy and space for networking in a warm and welcoming environment.
The staff were extremely attentive and the service was excellent. There is plenty of room in the restaurant and despite other customers
