A bar in Co Derry that uncovered a historical connection with the famine, has opened a new visitor centre at the site.
Friel’s bar and restaurant in Swatragh has been in the family for five generations.
Current proprietor Dermot Friel uncovered the historical significance of the site when researching the premises during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Prior to his family buying the pub in 1903, the building had previously served as a coaching inn, hotel, and post office.
But one of the more startling discoveries was a low window and a pot, which it transpired, had been used to serve food to starving people in the 1840s.
After consulting with historians, the Friels embarked on a new £350,000 tourism investment at the Derry pub, creating four jobs.
‘Gorta, Swatragh’s Famine Story’ tells the story of resident Dr Mooney who lived and worked from his surgery on the site during the Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór).
In 1847, the worst year of the potato blight in south Derry, it’s believed the doctor and his wife were feeding up to 300 people per day from the surgery.
The contributions of Dr Ciaran Reilly of Maynooth University, Ballinascreen Historical Society and the Mooney family have all been used to create a poignant and interactive storytelling experience.
The visitor centre features interpretative panels, audio visual aids, unique artwork depicting famine scenes by acclaimed sculptor Kieran Tuohy and the installation of the famine pot in, what is believed to be its original position in the soup kitchen.
Dermot described the opening of the new attraction as a special moment for all involved.
“It is inspired by the story of local charitable people of the time and the risks they took to help people in the community,” he said.
“It has taken a big team effort, with support from Tourism NI and Invest NI, as well as years of hard work and focus to develop and gather the research to help us present and tell the story in the best way possible.
“It is a very important story – not only is it a deeply personal one to the Swatragh community, but it is one that connects us to many across the world especially in America and Canada.
“We hope visitors and the community connect with the story and feel that we have done it justice.”
Gorta is led by expert local tour guide Cathy O’Neill, who also offers The Emigrant’s Walk experience, which retraces the footsteps of Irish migrants who left famine stricken Ireland to seek new lives in the new world.
Tourism NI boss John McGrillen said the agency supported the project via the Experience Development Programme.
“This authentic attraction, telling the story of a local humanitarian in the most traumatic period in our history, is exactly what our visitors want to experience.
“I would like to pay tribute to Dermot’s resilience in getting to this, making his vision a reality, and we look forward to working with him to promote this experience in the future.”
