KEVIN BARRY
~~~~~~~~~~~
Kevin Barry was 18 years old when he was hanged
in Mountjoy Jail on November 1st 1920.
His death at such a young age is possibly the
most poignant in recent Irish history.
He was born in 1902 in Dublin and grew up both
in the capital and in County Carlow. He enrolled
in Belvedere College in 1916 and joined the Irish
Volunteers, a nationalist organisation. In 1919
he enrolled in Dublin University to study
medicine. The Michael Collins led War of
Independence was developing and Barry, as Section
Commander, played his part in various raids
around Dublin city.
On September 20th 1920 he took part in one such
raid that went badly wrong. A street gun battle
ensued and three British soldiers were killed.
This was very significant in that these were the
first British soldier deaths in Ireland since the
1916 Easter Rising led by Pearse and Connolly.
Barry hid under a truck as the British searched
for him but was discovered when a passer-by,
concerned for his safety underneath the huge
vehicle, inadvertently warned the soldiers of
his whereabouts.
Reports of his torture in Mountjoy Jail soon
circulated but Barry refused to name his comrades.
He was given a death sentence but it was widely
believed that this sentence would be commuted, and
that the British authorities would not dare to
execute an eighteen year-old.
As the deadline approached it became clear that
Kevin Barry would be executed. A planned rescue
by Michael Collins came to nothing when
reinforcements from Dublin Castle were ordered to
the prison because of the large crowds that had
gathered outside. It was reported that Barry had
requested to be shot by firing squad rather than
hanged, which he viewed as a death not befitting
a soldier. The hangman, Ellis, had to be brought
into the country from England, as no-one in
Ireland could be found for the job. The calmness
and bravery the young Barry showed in the hours
leading up to his execution has become the
stuff of legends. Despite protestations from
clerics and politicians alike he was hanged in
Mountjoy Jail on November 1st, 1920.
Just as in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising
the British military in Ireland had badly
misjudged the situation. Had they simply
imprisoned the leaders of 1916 it is likely that
the huge upsurge in support for Irish nationalism
would not have taken place. By executing someone
as young as Kevin Barry in 1920 they handed the
Irish Republican Army a huge propaganda victory.
Young recruits flocked to join the IRA in the War
of Independence, which in turn led to the Treaty,
The partition of Ireland, the Civil War,
Independence and all that has occurred since.
It was reported that, for the rest of his life,
Michael Collins bitterly regretted not being able
to save the young soldier.
~~
The famous song 'Kevin Barry' was penned shortly
after his death and is still revived in ballad
sessions in Ireland to this very day:
In Mountjoy jail one Monday morning
High upon the gallows tree,
Kevin Barry gave his young life
For the cause of liberty.
But a lad of eighteen summers,
Still there's no one can deny,
As he walked to death that morning,
He proudly held his head on high.
2. Just before he faced the hangman,
In his dreary prison cell,
The Black and Tans tortured Barry,
Just because he wouldn't tell.
The names of his brave comrades,
And other things they wished to know.
'Turn informer and we'll free you'
Kevin Barry answered, 'No'.
3. 'Shoot me like a soldier.
Do not hang me like a dog,
For I fought to free old Ireland
On that still September morn.
'All around the little bakery
Where we fought them hand to hand,
Shoot me like a brave soldier,
For I fought for Ireland.'
4. 'Kevin Barry, do not leave us,
On the scaffold you must die!'
Cried his broken-hearted mother
As she bade her son good-bye.
Kevin turned to her in silence
Saying, 'Mother, do not weep,
For it's all for dear old Ireland
And it's all for freedom's sake.'
5. Calmly standing to attention
While he bade his last farewell
To his broken hearted mother
Whose grief no one can tell.
For the cause he proudly cherished
This sad parting had to be
Then to death walked softly smiling
That old Ireland might be free.
6. Another martyr for old Ireland,
Another murder for the crown,
Whose brutal laws to crush the Irish,
Could not keep their spirit down.
Lads like Barry are no cowards.
From the foe they will not fly.
Lads like Barry will free Ireland,
For her sake they'll live and die.
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