A Co Down pub has been selected by the Times as one of the best pub stays in the UK, the only Northern Irish pub to make the list.
The Rostrevor Inn in Newry was named 16th in the paper’s best 23 Cosy Pubs for Autumn list.
The pub’s location, which is set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains and borders Carlingford Lough, was among the reasons listed for its entry in the list.
Staff at the pub which is celebrating it’s ninth year of business this month have said they are “thrilled” with making the list.
The pub boasts an award-winning bistro, and Crawford, a traditional bar named after the family who ran the pub from 1854.
The pub’s entry in the Times list said: “For a winter’s tale, you can’t beat The Chronicles of Narnia, and you can see some of the inspiration for the magical kingdom by exploring the Mourne Mountains, where the author CS Lewis spent his childhood holidays.
“This pub, where the mountains run down to Carlingford Lough, is just a few yards from Kilbroney Park with its Narnia walking trail.
“There’s plenty of craic in the traditional bar with live music and storytelling, while the pub’s bistro turns out a highly commended steak as well as good quality seafood. One of the inn’s seven bedrooms is decorated with Narnia memorabilia (but sadly no magic wardrobe).”
Writing about the area, author of the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ once said “that part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia’”.
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The pub celebrates their connection to the author with exterior murals, two Narnian themed family rooms and occasionally hosting talks by US academic and CS Lewis expert professor Jerry Root from US Wheaton College.
Rostrevor Inn, Newry
A spokesperson for the pub said: “All at the Rostrevor Inn are thrilled that we have been selected by the Times as one of the best pub stays across the UK in their list of 23 cosy pubs for autumn, the only one in Northern Ireland to be included.
“We were picked out for several reasons, including our beautiful location in the foothills of the Mournes and adjacent to Carlingford Lough.”
They added: “We are proud of our top-class local suppliers, including Killowen and Mourne Dew distilleries, Whitewater brewery, McIvor’s cider and our local meat and seafood suppliers.
“We host a regular songs and stories by the fireside session on Wednesdays, a traditional session on Sunday afternoons and live music at the weekends.
“We also have a monthly folk club, the Rostrevor Folk Club at Crawfords, which has hosted the likes of Andy Irvine, Eleanor McEvoy, Eleanor Shanley, Aoife Scott, Mick Hanly and Daoirí Farrell.
“An Irish speaking evening is held monthly in Crawfords,” a spokesperson of the Rostrevor Inn said.