The Connection

For all the Irish and the not-so-Irish in the Vienna-Tysons area who have wished for an authentic Irish pub in the community, your wish has come true. Paddy Barry’s Irish Pub and Restaurant opened on Sept. 15, and, on Sept. 20, the pub threw itself a grand-opening celebration.

“No matter who comes in, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable,” said pub owner, Brendan Barry, Waterford, Ireland, born and raised. “An Irish pub is relaxed and friendly. You are always welcome.”

Paddy Barry’s is named in honor of Brendan Barry’s grandfather – “Pop” - and his father who lived most of their lives in Waterford, Ireland. Pop Paddy joined the British navy as a young teen in 1914, and, after the war, devoted his life to the British Legion in Ireland. During the 1920s and 1930s, Paddy helped train recruits to the young Irish navy.

FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE with the British Legion Club of Waterford was named “Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] by Queen Elizabeth II. Hanging in Paddy Barry’s Pub is a framed history of Paddy Barry himself.

Brendan Barry, who owns Irish Business Solutions, had not planned on opening a pub. The purchase just evolved over the past several months, and, in August of 2014, the pub became his. The former owner had called his pub Finnegan’s Pride and when Barry bought it, he paid tribute to his grandfather, “Pop” – and father Paddy Barry- calling his place Paddy Barry’s. Paddy “Pop” Barry died in 1992 in Waterford.

Barry’s grand opening celebration brought in more than 100 supporters and friends. The pub was so packed, Barry opened up the patio for seating. Guests enjoyed complimentary small dishes and Guiness flowed like Dublin’s River Liffey. Strangers became acquaintances at shared tables and the Dirty Pints – led by a Galway native – kept traditional Irish music going throughout the evening.

The exuberant din faded to silence when the Barry kin - owner Brendan, his brothers Fergus and Ken, and Brendan’s twin sons Declan and Darryl, the four of whom just flew in from Ireland for Paddy Barry’s grand opening, sang together Brendan’s father's favorite Irish folk song. Father Paddy Barry died five years ago.

“This is a gathering place for friends,” said Patrick Delaney of Annandale. “Food and friends, that’s what Irish restaurants are like.”

“And a good pint,” added Delaney’s friend Ed Snydstrup, Fairfax. “This is a good pint. It’s got to be fresh and crisp. This is.”

Brendan Barry came to the U.S. in 2008, marrying his American sweetheart in 2009. They’ve lived in Arlington since. Many of Paddy Barry’s Pub’s guests connected with Brendan Barry through soccer in Northern Virginia.

Barry has a passion for soccer, professional and amateur. He refereed for 17 years with the League of Ireland soccer panel before being named a member of the F.I.F.A. referees panel in 1995.

WHEN HE FINISHED actively refereeing in 2001, he began coaching new referees. Barry is currently a registered referee observer/assessor with the Football Association of Ireland and also a State Referee Assessor, at the highest grade, in the metro D.C. area under the auspice of the United States Soccer Federation.

Jodi Maher of Arlington sat with friends and chatted with new ones. She called Paddy Barry’s Pub “welcoming.”

“This is a place I would come with friends,“ Maher said. “It strikes me as a place you can bring your family to. It’s fun.”

That pretty-well sums up Brendan Barry’s mission to create a hospitable ambiance with good food, a good pint, and congenial staff.

“You get a friendly welcome here,” said Barry. “You’ll never feel alone. That’s what an Irish pub is.”

Paddy Barry’s Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 8150 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner. Free garage parking. Phone 703-883-2000. Go to http://paddybarrysva.com/ for more information.