The Angler’s Rest is a family-run Business with eight ensuite modern bedrooms located in Ballyconnell, in the heart of west Cavan.
The business is now in its fourth generation, having been in the family since the early 1900’s.
Whether guests are looking for outdoor action and adventure, fine food, angling and water sports or the more laid back delights of the local countryside and historical sites, Anglers Rest is the perfect place to stay when visiting Ballyconnell, County Cavan.
Declaration 1: We build a profitable business that lasts.
We work to a business plan that includes economic, social and environmental targets for growth. We focus on long-term financial performance and leverage profits to build certainty for our business, staff and community. We innovate and invest in our systems and our people in order to improve quality and productivity.
First started as a guesthouse in the 1960’s, then transforming into a pub / B&B in the 1980’s. As business grew, the premises did too. A restaurant was added to look after the residents, which then grew with local business.
Declaration 2: We manage resources responsibly
Our Commitment:
We operate a Carbon Reduction Programme, which includes actions and targets for improvement that are reviewed annually. We have effective systems for monitoring and adequately managing our waste, water, wastewater, energy, travel impact and purchases.
We work with Bord Gáis Energy on making better energy use choices, helping the environment while supporting the low carbon ambition of the Programme for Government. In 2023 we aim to add an electric charge point for electric vehicles, solar panels for the premises, along with rain water harvesting.
We work with our waste management company, Oxigen. Oxigen Environmental is Ireland’s leading integrated waste management and recycling company. Oxigen is dedicated to the diversion of waste from landfill through the re-use of valuable resources to create closed material life cycles. The old adage of ‘waste not, want not’, is key to the Oxigen ethos. Producing secondary raw materials and reprocessing to produce new products promotes resource efficiency and is an environmental necessity.
Declaration 3: We benefit our host communities
Our Commitment:
We work to ensure that tourism makes a positive social contribution so that it benefits our community as well as our guests. We contribute to the local economy by maintaining and supporting local employment, by sourcing services and produce locally wherever possible
There are 19 people employed between full time and part time, all are local. The pub is run here also which allows guests to meet locals and vice versa. Fishermen share stories of the lakes and fish. As much food as possible is sourced locally such as Sheelan Meats, Local Fruit & Veg, Eggs etc. The business sponsors a number of local clubs, raffles and teams which helps to sustain the community.
Declaration 4: We delight visitors
Our Commitment:
We invest and innovate to ensure our experience meets or exceeds visitor expectations. We engage with visitors to ensure they know the special value of their visit and to make them aware of give-back and off-set opportunities in our destination.
This is done by providing information about the Geopark on our website and Social Media and ensuring that visitors get a good experience and knowledge of the lakes and surrounding area. The fact that local fishermen pass on stories really engages the guests, and as you say makes them fall in love with Ballyconnell. There is a casual environment in the pub where everyone is welcome, visitors and locals.
Declaration 5: We champion places
Our Commitment:
We actively participate in conserving our natural and cultural heritage. We support and champion ecological restoration projects. We offer quality information and interpretation to communicate our stories and the unique character of our place to guests
The cultural heritage is protected by intertwining the pub and the accommodation. Guests get to experience a traditional Irish pub and get to interact with Francis McGoldrick, the proprietor and Irish International angler, the team and locals in a rural town setting. Many of the traditional fishing methods and customs are sustained through this connection.
Declaration 6: We work together
We engage with other businesses in promoting our region as a sustainable tourism destination. We collaborate with all stakeholders to collectively develop the Geopark as a sustainable tourism destination.
Working with other business owners such as the current programme, sharing the Geopark Content and creating back-links from our website to other local operators and amenities are examples of what is currently being done. We use local Geopark suppliers, along with collaborating on products like our Boxty Pizza, which is produced locally by Drumully Boxty.
We shall continue to nurture relationships with people in the Geopark, work towards a more sustainable future and help make our local community become the go-to people, for information and knowledge of the local area.
