Thomas (Tom) Barry Irish military leader Date of Birth: 01.07.1897 Country: Ireland

1. Childhood and Education
2. Military Service
3. Irish War of Independence
4. British-Irish Treaty and Civil War
5. Post-Civil War Activities
6. Alleged Involvement in Terrorism
7. Later Life and Legacy

Childhood and Education

Thomas Barry was born on August 11, 1897, in Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. His father, Thomas Barry Sr., was a police constable. Four years after Barry's birth, his family moved to Rosscarbery, County Cork, where his father retired from the police force and established a business. Barry attended school briefly at Mungret College but left after less than a year.

Military Service

In 1915, amidst the outbreak of World War I, Barry joined the British Army's Royal Field Artillery. He served in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) as a sergeant and was offered a transfer to the Royal Munster Fusiliers, which he declined. It was during his time in the British Army that Barry first learned about the Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland.

Irish War of Independence

Upon returning home from the war, Barry became involved in veterans' organizations. In 1920, he joined the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and quickly rose through the ranks. As a brigade commander, he participated in the formation of the IRA First Southern Division and led the West Cork Brigade, renowned for its effectiveness and bravery. On November 28, 1920, Barry's brigade ambushed and annihilated a British Auxiliary unit in Kilmichael, County Cork. This pivotal event greatly damaged British morale.

British-Irish Treaty and Civil War

In March 1921, Barry and his battalion broke through a British encirclement of 1,200 troops. Despite British superiority in numbers, Barry's West Cork unit controlled most of the region. During the subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations, Britain demanded Barry's surrender, but Michael Collins refused. Barry strongly opposed the treaty, believing it betrayed Ireland's republican ideals. He fought on the Republican side during the Irish Civil War and was arrested after the Battle of Dublin in July 1922.

Post-Civil War Activities

Barry escaped from prison in September 1922 and rejoined the Republican forces in the south. He led a brief campaign to capture several towns but was unable to hold them. With no prospect of victory, Barry supported the decision to end the war. He was imprisoned again in 1922 but was released in 1923. From 1927 to 1965, Barry served as General Superintendent of the Cork Harbour Commission.

Alleged Involvement in Terrorism

In 1937, Barry allegedly thwarted an IRA plot to attack Northern Ireland and prevented a series of bombing campaigns in the 1930s. However, evidence of his involvement is disputed. In 1937, he visited Germany and sought support for the IRA, suggesting his commitment to violence against Britain. He remained in contact with German intelligence until 1938, when the IRA abandoned his plan.

Later Life and Legacy

Barry published his memoirs, "Guerrilla Days in Ireland," in 1949. He died in a Cork hospital on August 10, 1980, one day after his 83rd birthday. Barry is remembered as one of the most distinguished Irish military leaders of the 20th century, known for his skill, courage, and unwavering commitment to the cause of Irish independence.