Carnlough hotelier is the ‘toast of the coast’ after BEM honour

Denise is the second member of the family, who have owned the Londonderry Arms Hotel since 1947, to be honoured for their contribution to the sector.

Her mother-in-law Moira who ran the east Antrim hotel for almost 70 years and passed away in 2017 was awarded an MBE for her services. At the time of her death, she was thought to have been the oldest hotelier in the province. Her late husband Frank was honoured with a posthumous accolade at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.

The Londonderry Arms is now owned by Moira’s daughter-in-law Denise who indicated that the honour had come as a surprise.

She said: “I am delighted to have received this award and also the recognition that goes to all our team at the Londonderry Arms Hotel. This comes at the end of what has been a difficult year for many and particularly for those in the hospitality sector.

“The Londonderry Arms Hotel with its unique heritage and history has its place at the heart of the community in Carnlough and we take great pride in supporting the local economy and tourism on the Causeway Coastal Route,

“The support of our loyal customers, friends and suppliers has always been much appreciated but especially so over this last deeply challenging year.

“We look forward to reopening our doors and welcoming everyone back as soon as it is safe for us all.”

Commenting on Denise’s New Year honour, food tour agency Toast the Coast NI, said: “Warm congratulations to Denise Hunt (O’Neill) for her New Year’s honours, for her services to the hospitality sector and to the community in Carnlough, County Antrim.

“Denise supported Toast the Coast Food Tours from day one with complete enthusiasm and the wider benefit to the entire area.”

The hotel was built in 1848 as a coaching inn by France Anne Tempest, Marchioness of Londonderry. It was briefly owned by Sir Winston Churchill who sold the hotel to the Lyons family in 1934.

Customers have included U2 guitarist The Edge who dropped in for lunch in October 2018.

Click here to read: New Year honours for east Antrim’s business and community leaders.

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