Termonbarry

The village of Termonbarry boasts a long and illustrious history peppered with folklore and mythology from its early pagan days through to Christian conversion and up to modern times. The village is named for St Barry (St Berach) of Glendalough who established a monastic  settlement here in the sixth century. He is said to have arrived in Termonbarry with deer carrying his baggage.

The old local verse tells of his famous crossing when he reached the Shannon...

St Barry knelt upon a stone, and prayed to god in heaven to bring him safely over the way to build his church of seven. His prayer was heard and like a bird his stone began to float, and right across the Shannon wave cam St Barry with his boat.

The legendary stone boat lay undiscovered until the late 1890’s when father white and his helpers had it removed with great effort, and placed outside the local Church, Whitehall where it can still be seen today.

Tarmonberry is a relaxing sort of place with tree lined walks to travel whilst you watch the cruisers travelling up and down the river and negotiating the locks. There are several pubs that provide the renowned Irish welcome, a beautiful hotel on the river and even an Art Gallery! If you are a fisherman its fishing heaven.

It’s a great stopping point on your travels around Ireland and very central to several major towns and makes a great place to break a journey between Dublin and the destinations in the West of Ireland.