A former pharmacist and an architect behind a Co Fermanagh pub named the best in the north decided to buy the venue after founding a micro-distillery.
The Dog and Duck Inn, near the village of Lisbellaw and owned and run by Margaret Elliott-Tredinnick and John Tredinnick, was this week named the best pub in Northern Ireland in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Pub of the Year list.
Margaret, a former pharmacist originally from Enniskillen, moved to Bath for University where she met her husband John, who is from South Wales and now an architect.
Along with their sprocker spaniel and official pub dog Kincade, they wanted to create a welcoming space serving locally sourced food and beers.
“The goal was to always start a whiskey distillery,” she explained.
“Due to the licencing in Northern Ireland we had to buy a pub licence to sell direct to the public and we also bought the pub.
“We love country pubs so it worked out nicely as a small producer we would support other small producers.”
They opened in June 2022, renaming the pub The Dog and Duck Inn.
Noted for its welcoming and cosy atmosphere, it specialises in independent beers, ciders and spirits.
The pub is also home to the Glenwinny micro-distillery, which produces small batch rum, brandy and whiskey using locally sourced ingredients.
The Dog and Duck Inn is one of 17 pubs across the UK who have battled to be crowned the winner in their area as part of CAMRA’s annual competition.
“This award recognises the pub and all our hard work but it is really an award for all the brewers, cider, spirit makers and patrons that have supported us from day one,” said Margaret.
“Without the support of breweries throughout the island of Ireland we would not be here, we would not have great beer and cider to sell to our customers.
“This award extends to our patrons those that come from both near and far to sample beers and ciders from all over- without whom this would be pointless - it’s great to have inquisitive minds and palettes which makes it all worthwhile.
“We are proud to be be leading the way here in Fermanagh for all of NI in the promotion of local produce and show that there is a market for this.”
Pubs in CAMRA’s competition are scored on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly the quality of real ale, real cider and perry.
This is the first year a Northern Ireland winner has been crowned, as the region was previously part of a Scotland and NI category.
The overall winner of the competition will be announced in January 2025.