The band, consisting of Paddy McGuigan, Liam Tiernan, Brian McCormick and John Delaney, was formed in mid-1971 in Belfast.
In the following year the band made its debut album in the United States on Rex Records, The Barleycorn in America.
Liam Tiernan left the band in 1981 and emigrated to Boston where he started his own pub.
Derek McCormack had previously been a member of Dermot O'Brien's band and later bass player with the Fureys.
[6] Barleycorn became firm favourites when they were the resident bands at a pub on the Expo88 grounds in Brisbane, Australia.