NI hotel to welcome overnight guests from next week following £1.6m revamp
The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, formerly The Londonderry Arms, has announced it's open to overnight guests from Monday, May 19.
Soft openings for its restaurants and bars have been taking place over the last few weeks.
The venue was acquired by a team led by hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master Irish whiskey distiller, Darryl McNally and entrepreneur Carl Harrison in summer last year.
The trio, who also own Outwalker and Limavady Whiskey, have carried out what they described as an 'extensive yet sensitive restoration' of the venue, which is located along the Causeway Coast.
Described as 'Ireland's first whiskey hotel,' its bar will serve over 300 whiskeys and classic whiskey cocktails.
Mr McLaughlin, a former general manager at Belfast's Merchant Hotel and Carton House in Co Kildare, said: 'We are excited that our vision for this historic hotel will soon become a reality.
'From the outset, we have endeavoured to build on the legacy of this landmark building, which has been at the cornerstone of the local community for generations.
'The people of Carnlough and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms and it's been heartening to see the incredibly positive response from the local community in recent months.
'We've poured our passion for Irish whiskey into the development of our unique food and beverage offerings and exciting events programmes. We look forward to toasting the opening of Ireland's first whiskey hotel, with our first guests in the weeks and months ahead.'
The team said the hotel's new name is a nod to the village's 'picturesque harbour views'. The property was built 1848 by Frances Anne Vane Tempest, and once owned by Sir Winston Churchill, who inherited the property in 1921.
The new owners said: 'Retaining stunning features including open fires and original terrazzo flooring, the new hotel features a newly refurbished bar, lounge and restaurant, offering the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern Irish hospitality.'
Each of the 35 bedrooms have been redecorated and revamped, they added.
And in the bar, famous heritage whiskey brands like Midleton and The Macallan will be served alongside Copeland, Bushmills, Ardbeg, Shortcross, plus The Harbourview's own Outwalker and Limavady whiskeys.
There will be a programme of monthly events, including boat trips to Islay for guided tours of the Bruichladdich and Ardbeg distilleries.
And The Carnlough Whiskey Festival from August 20 to 23 August will be a key event on the hotel's schedule this summer.
The hotel's Coach House bar and restaurant will offer all day dining from 12 to 8.30pm, while its MacAuley Suite can cater for weddings and private events with over 80 guests.
Mr McLaughlin spoke to Business Telegraph last year about the decision to take on The Londonderry Arms.
'Darryl and I have been working together for the last couple of years to develop Outwalker and Limavady Irish Whiskey, and we've built up a nice working relationship.
'This hotel came along and we decided it has got a lot of charm, there's a lot of history there. For us right now it's probably the right size, so it ticks a lot of boxes.
News Catch Up - Monday 12 May
'So we thought how would we make it a new destination if we were to take it on. The thought that kept coming up was that a whiskey hotel just made sense, given our combined skillsets. There isn't one in Ireland but there are some in Scotland.
'From the research we carried out, this will be considerably different and will offer whiskey experiences to complement what the hotel can do. It will show off whiskey in a way others haven't thought about.'
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