Castlederg PR Road trip to visit The Derg Arms, Ulster American Folk Park and The Wild Atlantic Distillery
Table of Contents
Intro
As part of our recent trip to County Tyrone, we had the absolute pleasure to stay at The Derg Arms, a cosy, family-run pub and hotel in the heart of Castlederg.
The Derg Arms
Website here :- https://www.dergarms.co.uk/
As part of our recent trip to County Tyrone, we had the absolute pleasure to stay at The Derg Arms, a cosy, family-run pub and hotel in the heart of Castlederg.
With ten ensuite rooms, great dining facilities, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, this was the perfect spot to explore the countryside around this beautiful part of Northern Ireland, including the Ulster American Folk Park, and the nearby Wild Atlantic Distillery.
Returning after a busy day, we were treated to a delicious meal in the Derg Arms’ delightful, rustic restaurant, which is a “Pubs of Ulster” finalist for best pub food.
All of the dishes used local ingredients, and we enjoyed every plate, with starters including Marinated Tandoori Spiced King Prawn Salad, Creamy Chicken & Bacon Vol-au-Vent, and Breaded Garlic Mushrooms.
Our main courses were also top notch; Honey Soy Glazed Salmon Fillet on Sticky Rice, Peppered Chicken Stack topped with crispy Tobacco Onions & Creamy Peppered Sauce, and a Slow-Cooked Daube of Beef in Red Wine Jus.
All served with Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots, Broccoli & Cauliflower, Potato Gratin, Buttery Champ, and Chips, this was a fantastic feast of comforting homemade fare.
Afterwards we relaxed in the bar and lounge area for a nightcap or two, and sang along to some brilliant live music from the talented Macdara O’Dwyer.
And what better way to start the following day than waking up to the glorious smell of toast and bacon wafting from the kitchen. The Derg Arms’ breakfast menu has something delicious to set you up for the day, and caters for all dietary requirements.
And the icing on the cake? We arrived just as the hotel was celebrating its centenary, so there was an abundance of fascinating exhibits, photographic memorabilia , and wonderful stories from the team behind this family-run Castlederg institution. Many thanks to Olga, Mona, and the team, for such warm hospitality. Not to mention large slabs of birthday cake!
Ulster American Folk Park
Website here :- https://www.ulsteramericanfolkpark.org/
Through emigration, Ulster people have made an impact across North America. Explore rural Ulster and the American frontier as you walk in the footsteps of the bold migrants who set sail for America.
The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Ulster people’s emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn more about lives left behind, the hardships endured on the journey and the pioneering spirit of building new lives in a new land.
Wild Atlantic Distillery
Website here :- https://www.wildatlanticdistillery.ie/
We paid a long overdue visit to the Wild Atlantic Distillery on our recent Castlederg trip. Brothers-in-law Brian and Jim’s distillery is inspired by the wild, rugged and beautiful landscape in the area, and it also creates the perfect conditions for ageing their traditionally crafted Irish whiskey.
And the Atlantic Ocean provides the botanicals for their unique and distinctive gin.
Already big fans of Wild Atlantic’s award-winning sophisticatedly fruity Strawberry Gin, bursting with strawberries and elderflower, and the fresh, citrus-forward, Irish Amalfi Lemon Vodka, we couldn’t wait for our first taste of the distillery’s IslandMen Irish Whiskey.
Using the finest ingredients sourced from local farms, this blend of Grain and Single Malt is aged in first-fill Bourbon casks then finished in Pedro Ximénez Solera 1918 Sherry casks, creating rich sweetness, caramel notes, dried fruit character, and a deep amber colour.
The Distillery Tour is a fantastic opportunity to meet the people behind one of Ireland’s newest distilleries, just fifteen miles from the Wild Atlantic Way, and to learn how the award-winning spirits are made, sample the produce, and of course we couldn’t leave without purchasing a bottle of IslandMen to enjoy at home! Sláinte.
