Overview
This is a slipway, a lawn and a view, and that is the whole appeal. Barley Harbour is a cut-limestone harbour on Elfleet Bay, on the eastern shore of Lough Ree in south-west County Longford, about 5 km from Newtowncashel. There’s no marina and no fuel dock, just a stone slip that drops gently into calm water, with a few benches and a well-kept grassy lawn running down to the shoreline. Longford County Council built it in 1966, and it remains the only public access point to Lough Ree in the parish. That’s what locals come for: somewhere to spread a blanket, watch the water and take in a lot of open Midland sky.
History and island views
The harbour is modern, but it faces a great deal of older history. Directly across the water lies Inchcleraun Island, better known as Quaker Island. A monastic settlement was founded there in 540 AD by St Diarmuid, who taught St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise; for generations it was a place of pilgrimage and learning, and later a burial ground for the powerful Farrell clan.
Folklore adds another layer. The island is named after Clothra, sister of Queen Maeve of Connacht. The story goes that Maeve retired here after the Táin wars and was killed by her own nephew while she bathed in the lough. From the harbour edge you can pick out the stone ruins across the water, sharpest when the morning light catches the surface or the evening sun drops behind the Longford hills.
What to see and do
- Boating and launching – the slip is kept up for small craft, and the gentle slope and sheltered bay make it easy to launch, whether you’re carrying a kayak down by hand or backing a trailer in. Temporary moorings let day-trippers work the wider lake.
- Wild swimming and fishing – Elfleet Bay is a favoured spot for a quiet dip in summer, and has featured in Irish travel writing as a secluded lake swim with clear views to the far shore. Anglers work it for pike and perch off the accessible shoreline.
- Picnicking and wildlife – the lawn is made for a long lunch, and the lough draws waterfowl and wading birds worth a look.
- Bogwood Sculpture Studio – just along from the slip is the Casey family’s workshop, where father and son have spent decades working bog oak, yew and pine preserved in Irish peatlands for thousands of years. You can watch ancient timber being turned into finished pieces and buy work with a certificate giving the wood’s age and origin. Opening hours aren’t fixed, so it’s worth checking ahead before making a special trip.
If you want a keepsake with the name on it, Lough Ree Distillery has bottled a whiskey called Barley Harbour as part of its Bridge Series.
Practical information
Getting there – from Longford town, follow the R198 towards Newtowncashel, then the local roads signposted for Collum and Barley Harbour. It’s about 30 minutes from Longford and roughly two and a half hours from Dublin.
Public transport – buses run from Longford town to Newtowncashel, but there’s no stop at the lakeside; from the village it’s a short taxi ride to the harbour.
Cycling and walking – the quiet R198 and local lanes suit cyclists, and the roughly 12 km ride from Longford is a pleasant one. Walkers can follow the rural lanes from Newtowncashel in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Facilities and safety – entry is free and there’s basic parking near the picnic area, but the harbour is unstaffed: bring your own refreshments and take all litter home. The slip is solid stone, but the lake is open and unsupervised, so swimmers should take care.
Contact – for the harbour or local conditions, the County Longford Tourism Office is on +353 (0)43 3343509 or tourism@longfordcoco.ie. Barley Harbour Lodge, a guesthouse on the lake shore about five minutes away, is the handiest bed if you want to stay.
Nearby attractions
Barley Harbour fits well into a wider Midland day. A short drive south is Athlone, with its 13th-century castle, the riverside Silver Mile walk and guided boat trips across Lough Ree. For something older, the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre is roughly 10 km away, built around a remarkably preserved Iron Age wooden road. Arrive in the late afternoon if you want the light shifting across the water, and check the forecast before any swimming or boating.