In the heart of Lisbellaw, tails are wagging and glasses are clinking in The Dog and Duck pub.

Kincade, the pub’s endearing four-legged mascot, has become something of an attraction much to the amusement of owner Margaret Elliott-Tredinnick and her husband, John.

The couple are enjoying having the Sprocker Spaniel as their beloved pub dog and have been watching as it captivates both two-legged and four-legged patrons.

“Everywhere we’ve lived, we have always known dog-friendly pubs, so it was a natural decision for us. Country pubs are dog-friendly, and that’s something we always knew,” Margaret told The Impartial Reporter.

Kincade certainly holds a special place in the hearts of her regulars with many of them “loving the fact they can bring their dog in”.

“Kincade doesn’t really get excited about other dogs, but I think having a pub dog is quite special.”

Popularity

However, Kincade’s popularity goes beyond the pub’s warm ambiance, as his image now graces the labels of the pub’s house beer, Sprocker.

This collaboration, achieved in partnership with another local business, Inishmacsaint, has yielded a fruity pale ale that has found favour among patrons.

“We have a really good relationship with Norman Donaldson of Inishmacsaint and we knew we wanted an in-house beer and came up with our design for it and the particular style we wanted, this is our first batch and its very popular.”

Margaret and John embarked on a career change, transitioning from a pharmacist and architect, respectively, to pursue their passion for spirits. Alongside The Dog and Duck, they established Glenwinny, a micro distillery specialising in whiskey, rum, and gin.

Fuelled by their love for Irish whiskey, which can only be crafted in Ireland, the couple found their ideal location in Lisbellaw, where their dream took root.

John explained: “Glenwinny is our primary business and the reason we moved back but the pub took precedent for the first year.”

“We knew we didn’t want to be in a town and wanted to be a country pub,” Margaret added, highlighting their desire for a genuine rural experience.

With the pub taking precedence during its early days, it has become a beloved gathering spot for the tight-knit local community.

Investing in smaller rural communities like Lisbellaw is a passion for Margaret, who believes it is essential to support these vibrant pockets of society.

“I think smaller towns and villages, it is essential that people invest in them; you have a pocket of people there, and it’s a fantastic community locally for us,” she expressed.

As day turns to evening, locals and travellers alike find themselves drawn to the charm of The Dog and Duck’s loyal companion who has transformed a simple pub into a beloved heart of the community.