Friels Hospitality & Heritage celebrates national success with double tourism and hospitality awards
Friels Hospitality & Heritage Venue in Swatragh is celebrating a landmark achievement after being crowned Best Destination Bar in Ireland at the prestigious Irish Bar & Cocktail Awards 2026, while also receiving Highly Commended recognition in the LCN Tourist Pub of the Year 2026 awards.
The accolades recognise Friels’ continued commitment to delivering outstanding hospitality and exceptional visitor experiences, reinforcing its reputation as one of the Ireland’s leading rural tourism destinations.
Owned and operated by the Friel family for five generations, the business has evolved from its renowned traditional bar and restaurant into a thriving hospitality and tourism destination that now attracts visitors from across Ireland and around the world.
Over recent years, Friels has successfully diversified its offering to create a unique visitor experience centred on authentic Irish hospitality, local heritage and high-quality accommodation.
Today, the destination includes the award-winning Friels Bar & Restaurant, Gorta Visitor Centre, Friels Fairy Tree Lodges, Friels Terrace self-catering accommodation and the increasingly popular Friels Motorhome Park, making it one of Mid Ulster’s most comprehensive hospitality destinations.
The Irish Bar & Cocktail Awards recognised Friels as Best Destination Bar in Ireland, celebrating venues that offer visitors far more than food and drink by creating memorable experiences that encourage people to travel, stay longer and explore the surrounding area.
The judges praised establishments that combine exceptional hospitality with a strong sense of place and visitor appeal.
The business also received Highly Commended recognition in the LCN Tourist Pub of the Year Awards, acknowledging Friel’s contribution to tourism, customer service and showcasing the very best of Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector.
Speaking following the awards, proprietor Dermot Friel said: "These awards are a tremendous honour and reflect the dedication of our incredible team, whose passion and commitment ensure every guest enjoys a warm welcome and memorable experience. As a family business spanning five generations, we are immensely proud to showcase the very best of Mid Ulster. Our vision has always been about much more than running a bar and restaurant; it is about creating a destination where visitors can eat, stay, discover our heritage and experience genuine Irish hospitality.”