Last Wednesday evening I was fortunate enough to stay in Keenan’s hotel Tarmonbarry whilst travelling on business. This is an excellent family run facility with good Beer (Smethwick’s as well as the ubiquitous Guinness) and excellent food as well as very friendly helpful staff. For Dinner I enjoyed a starter of Black Pudding on mustard mash and for the main a fine breast of corn fed chicken – all locally sourced. Of course breakfast next morning was the full Irish. A twin room, meals and 3 pints of Beer came to under £93!
Anyway to get to the point. Keenan’s is right beside a canalised part of the River Shannon – Ireland’s longest river. After dinner a walk along the Shannon to the lock shown is only a couple of minutes and it is revealed by a inscription in the lock wall that this lock was constructed in 1845. There is not much in Tarmonbarry besides Keenan’s and a couple of other pubs all beside the road bridge which now crosses the river so I suspect these were once watering holes for boat crews awaiting their turn in the Lock.
There is some modern development, including a marina, immediately beside the river’s western bank. These appear to be fine well-built modern houses however few appeared to be permanently occupied and some were even empty – perhaps a result of Ireland’s recent property bubble.
If you’re ever passing this way I can heartily recommend Keenan’s a place to stay and eat:
http://www.keenanshotel.ie
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