Hotelier, Adrian McLaughlin and whiskey master distiller, Darryl McNally have partnered with businessman Carl Harrison to create a new whiskey hotel in Antrim.
The consortium has recently purchased the historic Londonderry Arms in Carnlough, once owned by Winston Churchill, and is investing £1.75 million (€2.07 million) in the development of the hotel, which, with its whiskey theme, will be the first of its kind on the island of Ireland.
The refurbishment will be completed by Easter 2025.
'Exceptional Whiskey Experiences'
"The hotel pub will offer a selection of whiskey cocktails and whiskey tasting flights and we are putting together an events plan where we will offer exceptional whiskey experiences including our own Carnlough Whiskey Festival, whiskey and food pairing evenings, master distiller dinners and talks, as well as bar takeovers from some of the world’s best bars," said Darryl McNally.
"Whiskey will be an integral part of the hotel, even down to offering the residents’ nightcaps from a tapped unfiltered cask strength Limavady Whiskey cask and we will also be offering a turndown gift of whiskey-infused chocolates."
The Londonderry Arms
The Londonderry Arms was purchased from the O’Neill family by Adrian, Darryl and Carl who are the first new owners in 75 years.
The hotel is situated in the Glens of Antrim, on the Causeway Coastal route between Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway.
'Irish Music'
"Like all good Irish pubs, we will offer traditional Irish music at weekends and classic Irish pub favourites such as Irish stew, chowder, locally-sourced salmon and amazing aged steaks," said Adrian McLaughlin.
"This is a good news story for the region and we are confident that we will be making a tangible difference to the village of Carnlough.”
