Death and Funeral
(1880-1921) Tadhg Barry
Tadhg Barry’s funeral cortege crosses Patrick’s Bridge en route from the North Cathedral to St. Finbarr’s Cemetery, 20 November 1921. The shell of Connolly Hall, the ITGWU’s Cork headquarters, destroyed by Crown forces on 10-11 November 1920, is visible at the top left of the photograph (in front of the faded cathedral). (Irish Examiner Archive).
Tadhg Barry’s remains are carried from Glanmire Street train station, 19 November 1921. His nephews Ned and Dan are the lead pallbearers, and his brother Paddy is back left. (Irish Examiner Archive).
Following the Truce, the internees were optimistic about the ongoing negotiations in London between republican leaders and the British government. The fate of political prisoners was an issue at the talks, and in early November the British agreed to a scheme of temporary parole. On 15 November, a group of prisoners at Ballykinlar were being released under the scheme. The authorities were on high alert for any suspected escape attempts during the release, as a tunnel had recently been discovered. Consequently, the inexperienced, eighteen-year-old sentry on duty that day was nervous. Tadhg was part of group gathered at the main fence to say goodbye to their departing comrades. The group was ordered to step back; most complied, but Tadhg, the British later claimed, did not (although this was subsequently disputed). The young sentry shot him through the heart, killing him instantly. Shock and horror immediately engulfed the camp.
On Friday 18 November, a hearse took Tadhg’s body to Dublin. Along the way, thousands turned out in Castlewellan, Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda to pay their respects; there were even general strikes in the two Co. Louth towns. In Dublin, the Irish Trades Union Congress called a general stoppage of work in the city which even the street traders on Moore Street and Henry Street honoured. The press estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 people witnessed the procession to the Pro-Cathedral, headed by Constance Markievicz and followed by trade unions, Sinn Féin, GAA clubs, the Gaelic League, Na Fianna and Cumann na mBan. Remembrance mass the following morning was attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, several TDs and, most significantly, Michael Collins. Although the Treaty negotiations were at a crucial stage, Collins had taken the time out to honour his dear comrade. After the mass, thousands watched the cortege make its way to Kingsbridge railway station (now Heuston Station) so that Tadhg could be returned home to his beloved Cork. At every station en route, huge crowds gathered to pay their respects.
The train arrived in Glanmire Street station (now Kent Station) that afternoon, beginning a procession that brought Cork to a standstill. The streets were lined with grief-stricken citizens, many wearing mourning badges. Flags flew at half-mast on every public building and the sound of church bells filled the air. His funeral mass was held the following day, Sunday 20 November. The Cork IRA, bishops, priests and religious, and a pipe band joined Tadhg’s family in procession to St. Finbarr’s cemetery. They were
Young women and girls pay their respects at Tadhg Barry’s graveside, St Finbarr’s Cemetery, 20 November 1921. (Irish Examiner Archive).
followed by political, labour and GAA representatives from all over the country; brass bands; and schoolchildren, including the boys from his beloved North Mon. Thronged streets caused the cortege to take almost two hours to pass any given point. Seán O’Hegarty gave the graveside oration, asserting that Tadhg had ’lived for the common man and died for the whole of us.’ It was a striking summary of his life and a fitting farewell. Three volleys were fired over his grave and scores of wreathes were laid as the last post was sounded for Tadhg Barry, the brilliant working-class boy from Blarney Street. A military enquiry held soon after his murder issued no findings. On 14 December, an inquest concluded with the jury unable to agree a verdict. The barrister for the Barry family had sought a declaration of ‘unjustifiable homicide’ against the sentry and his superiors. The British military were totally uncooperative throughout and did everything to protect the guilty sentry. By then, all Ballykinlar internees had been released following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December, exactly three weeks too late for Tadhg Barry.
A handbill song-sheet featuring the ballad ‘For God and Ireland True (In Memory of Ald. Tadg Barry)’ (Kilmainham Gaol Museum).
A memorial postcard issued following Tadhg Barry’s death. (Cork Public Museum)
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