St. Finbarr’s Oratory, on lough Gougane Barra National Forest Park is located in a scenic valley in the Sheehy Mountains of County Cork.

Some Legends of St. Finbarr

St. Finbarr, he’s the Patron Saint of Cork. It’s said that when he first arrived at Gougane Barra he was so blown away by its beauty that he decided to build a Monastery on its grounds. There are a number of legends associated with the Saint. One tells the story of how he was led by an angel from the source of the mighty River Lee at Gougane Barra to the mouth of the river, where he founded his monastery.

Another legend explains how St. Finbarr banished a great serpent named Lú from the Gougane Barra Lake. Apparently Lú created the River Lee as it escaped his wrath.