Gorta - Swatragh's Famine Story: History Unveiled
5.0
6 Ratings
Swatragh

Explore Swatragh’s Famine Story, a captivating visitor centre blending history, art, and technology to honor Dr. Mooney’s legacy during An Gorta Mór.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Gorta Swatragh’s Famine Story - Through exceptional storytelling, stunning design, and modern technology, Gorta - Swatragh’s Famine Story was created as a new visitor center. It explores the history of Swatragh village and the remarkable legacy of Dr. Mooney.
    The center was inspired by the discovery of an original famine pot in 1992 and a small…
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What's Included
  • Free postcard memento
What's Not Included
  • Meals
Additional Information

Through exceptional storytelling, stunning design, and modern technology, the Gorta - Swatragh’s Famine Story visitor centre was created to explore the history of Swatragh village and the remarkable legacy of Dr. Mooney. In the mid-1800s, Dr. Mooney and his wife, Sarah, operated a surgery and dispensary at this site, and during the Great Hunger – An…

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Location
Friels Bar and Restaurant
Kilrea Road
On arrival please check in at the bar or restaurant counter.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
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1 star
Drumnaglogh
Feb 24, 2026
Highly recommended! - Beautifully presented exhibition. If you have a connection to this area you couldn’t fail to be moved by it. Amazing to have this resource in Swatragh - well done to everyone involved.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alanr1405
Dec 9, 2025
Combine a historical tour with traditional Irish food - I visited the Gorta Visitor Centre and Friel's Bar with fellow tour guides as part of a FAM trip with Tour Guides NI. We had a fabulous tour of the centre, learning about the poignant history of the famine in the Swatragh area. The Visitor Centre features rooms recreated in the style of Dr. Mooney’s surgery and dispensary as they would have appeared in the 1830s and 1840s. The story is told through a combination of storyboards, artefacts, and engaging digital technology. We learned how a private soup kitchen operated from this site during the Great Famine (An Gorta Mór). The tour leads down to the original kitchen in the basement, where you can see the actual famine soup pot—discovered in Friel’s Bar in 1992—which now sits beneath the small window from which the soup was originally served. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fantastic meal in Friel’s Bar and were entertained with wonderful stories by Dermot Friel, the fifth-generation owner of Friel’s Bar and the Gorta Visitor Centre. I can highly recommend Friel’s Bar for excellent traditional Irish food and drink in a warm, authentic setting, and the Gorta Visitor Centre for a powerful and memorable visitor experience—all under the same roof.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape305910
Nov 26, 2025
Sperrin U3A group visit - A fascinating insight into the history of the pub and how the famine impacted on the Swatragh area. The tour and guides were excellent. The hospitality was warm and friendly. The food was delicious. This was a group visit by 28 people. Dermot has done a great job of establishing a first class tourist attraction in Mid Ulster. Thanks on behalf of Sperrin U3A.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alanmm8278me
Nov 25, 2025
Great group tour and meal - Sperrin U3A organised a group visit to the restaurant and exhibition. 28 people were catered for in two groups. The guides and tour around the building and exhibition were excellent: entertaining and informative. It is clear there is a genuine desire to make people aware of the history of the bar and the impact the famine had on the local area. The focus on local people definitely enriches the overall experience. The food was delicious and the service was was warm, friendly and highly efficient. I would certainly recommend the tour, food and hospitality.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cgeorgemac
Sep 15, 2025
Swatragh Famine museum - This story of the famine in the Swatragh area is very well told and set out with lots of intractive displays and easy to read and understand information boards. It is very effective in telling the history of the famine and of great value to learn. We really enjoyed the visual displays and layout of the Doctors surgery with so many old Doctors instruments and bottles. It is great that the large famine pot has been restored and the serving window is still in place. It not only tells the story of the famine in Swatragh but also reminds us of the same happening in many more villages and towns all over the island of Ireland. Excellent museum, well worth a visit, it's a must Cathy the guide was very informative and answed all queries
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L3603kkdb
Sep 13, 2025
Interesting story of life in Swatragh in the 1800sv - Interesting story of the London companies in Swatragh and the story of the famine in this area. Very balanced and informative exibit in a lovely old house beside the pub and restaurant. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Great spot to spend an hour and finish off with a bite or drink in the adjoining Friels bar.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $13
From $13
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).