Bradley-Bradley-Doyle`s. The Shepherd`s Rest Bar.

The site on which the Doyle home and business stands seems to have accommodated several houses because old foundations have been uncovered over the years. It is most likely that this was the site of an old clachan dating back to the 1700`s. What seems to have happened is the dispersal of houses to positions some distance from the site when the landlord divided up the land around into several farms.

The first Bradley that lived on this piece of land which stretched from the Moyard bridge right up almost to the present Quinn bungalow, on the south side of the river. The fact that he owned it all suggests that he may have been one of the two Bradley brothers who were said to have been given the townland of Moyard, on condition that they would join the Church of Ireland. They may have got the land but there is no evidence that they kept to the deal. Most of the Bradleys who appear later scattered over this piece of land (the present Doyle farm) have the name Patrick or Phadraig in their nicknames. E.g. Lawrie Phadraig, Hughie Paidi, Paddy Hughie.

The family who started the pub lived in a house at the top of the field behind the present day bar. They built the bar and then moved down to it to live there. These people were known locally as the Paddy Hughies. In the end there were two old sisters called Biddy and Ann and their brother Joe Phaidi. They sold the place in 1910,  to the Pat Paddy Bradleys (Moyard, just across the river) and they had a small metal house built on the site where they lived until they died. The new owners ran the pub until 1930 when they sold it to Michael Doyle, whose family are still there today.

Michael Doyle had been in Philadelphia for some time and then returned to Ireland. His first wife died, leaving him with three young boys, James, Leo and Francis. Michael later married Annie (Jane) Bradley from Moyard and they had one son Michael(jun). As the boys of the first family grew up they acquired their own bars and left home. James bought the present Hogan Stand bar in Moneyneena, Francis bought a bar in Rush, Co. Dublin and Leo bought a bar in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.

Michael then married Bernie Loughran from Dunamore, Kildress and a new era began. After a few years they built a lounge onto the existing building and brought entertainment to the premises. The business was developed by a lot of hard work and good hospitality became the cornerstone of the establishment. Today the business caters for all kinds of functions, with excellent food and bar. There is also a Campsite -Caravan site there.

In the early days, there was not a lot to be made in a country pub because local people had not got the money to drink but there always was an income of some degree. Then, things began to improve in the community and people had a bit more disposable income. Young Michael Doyle married Bernie Loughran in the early 1960`s and they decided to build a lounge on to the bar and business took off from there. Years later they began to do functions and food which is now the mainstay of a prosperous business.

In the early days, there was not a lot to be made in a country pub because local people had not got the money to drink but there always was an income of some degree. Then, things began to improve in the community and people had a bit more disposable income. Young Michael Doyle married Bernie Loughran in the early 1960`s and they decided to build a lounge on to the bar and business took off from there. Years later they began to do functions and food which is now the mainstay of a prosperous business.

Local people will have fond memories of great nights in the Rest down the years with Joe Diamond`s group, Seamus McBride and Eddie Donnelly and so many others.

Below we have a selection of patrons over many enjoyed the good times there.