Drive It Day 2026

Following a leisurely drive, in reasonable weather, we arrived at Friels Hospitality & Heritage Centre (5th Generation Bar & Restaurant), Swatragh for dinner at 3.45pm.  The menu gave us a choice of roast beef or roast chicken with trimmings or a vegetarian dish of either pasta stir fry, no complaints so, enjoyed by all.  After coffee we had the option to visit the recently opened visitor centre.  The centre was inspired by the discovery of an original “famine pot” in 1992 and a small window on the historic Friel’s site during lockdown.  Dr Mooney and his wife, Sarah, ran a surgery and a dispensary from this location in the mid-1800s, and during the great hunger the established a private soup kitchen to help the community.  The centre shows the unwavering commitment of one family to help others during one of Irelands most challenging periods.  The house is pretty much as it might have been at the time of the famine.  In addition, there is an abundance of information about the local area and what it might have been like to have lived in Swatragh around that time.  Well worth the visit and definitely a place where anyone could spend a few hours and have a pleasant meal as well. The carpark has recently been turned into a motorhome/campervan aire with water and power hook ups.

Many thanks to William and Marbeth for arranging a pleasant afternoon out.