139 Vow Rd, Ballymoney BT53 7NU
The Angler’s Rest is actually a few miles outside the town of Ballymoney, on the Vow Road, and sits on a hill with a panoramic view over the river Bann and the North Antrim countryside. As you would expect in a pub of this name, fishing dominates the design and decor, with a staggering display of flies framed round the walls. You can hardly believe there are so many different flies, or that they could look so attractive. These were all hand tied and framed by a local angler who must be more than a mere expert to have created this exhibition. Two together in the same frame caught our eye: ‘The Orange Parson’ and ‘The Fenian’!
Also on the walls are a series of quite brilliant paintings of fish, mostly salmon, done by a local artist, J.M.McCready. It’s worth a trip to The Angler’s Rest just to see these beautiful works of art, and while you’re there, you can find a fine Tom McGoldrick painting of a local beauty spot, Merrick’s Lodge.
It’s not just the Bann of course, that makes this area one of special interest for anglers. Just down the road is the famous Movanagher Fish Farm which stocks many of our waters with trout for the sport of the angling fraternity.
Other nearby attractions are the Mount Sandel water-skiing facilities and the big, new caravan park, but ask any of the customers in the pub what the major attraction is, and it’s a safe bet that they’ll mention the excellent food served in the Lounge/Restaurant.
The Angler’s Rest is recommended in one of the leading national Good Food Guides, and draws its clientele from surprising distances. The A La Carte menu, Sunday carvery, lunches and high teas have earned this establishment a reputation for the highest quality.
There’s a grand upstairs function room with its own separate kitchen, private entrance, dance floor, bar and live music, ideal for anniversaries, private bookings and special occasions. The soothing decor in grey and lavender is restful for more than just the angler. Right across the road there’s a jetty where boats can take you right up to Portrush, the north coast, or any part of the Bann waterway.
As you’d expect, the scene sandblasted into the big window of the public bar, is of an angler using his rod to good effect, but the Lounge window features an engraving of a coach and horses scene. The publican has the explanation ready and waiting: this used to be a coach stop where horses, drivers and passengers could rest their weary bones a while, so the tradition of repose is being carried on in the Inn’s present day title.