Urgent Update: Remembering Kevin Barry’s Execution – A Turning Point in Irish History

UPDATE: Today marks the 103rd anniversary of the execution of Kevin Barry, a pivotal moment in the struggle for Irish independence. Just 18 years old at the time, Barry was hanged on November 1, 1920, at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin following a controversial trial for the murder of a British soldier during an IRA raid.

This execution is seen by historians, including Dermot McEvoy, as a critical tipping point for Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins. “Kevin Barry’s death was the final straw,” McEvoy states, highlighting the pressure Collins faced as tensions escalated between Irish republicans and British forces.

Barry’s involvement in a failed ambush on North King Street led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing to death. In a desperate attempt to save him, Collins orchestrated a plan to break Barry out of prison, but it ultimately failed, intensifying the conflict. Just weeks prior, the British Secret Service had killed another prominent republican, Seán Treacy, sparking outrage and further protests.

As the British intensified their crackdown, Collins used this moment of grief and anger to galvanize his forces. The aftermath of Barry’s execution led directly to Bloody Sunday on November 21, when Collins’s assassination squad killed 14 British agents in a bold retaliatory strike, marking a watershed moment in the Irish War of Independence.

By the end of the conflict, the British faced overwhelming pressure, with negotiations for a truce commencing by July 1921. The legacy of Barry and his fellow rebels, often referred to as The Forgotten Ten, continues to resonate in Irish history, representing the sacrifices made for freedom.

In a significant development regarding Barry’s legacy, his remains, along with those of his comrades, were reinterred at Glasnevin Cemetery in 2001, 81 years after his execution. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stated, “These 10 young men were executed during the War of Independence. They understood that Ireland would be free and independent.”

As we reflect on this tragic day in history, the memory of Kevin Barry and the sacrifices of those who fought for Irish independence remain poignant. The continuing relevance of their struggle serves as a reminder of the enduring quest for freedom and justice.

For more insights into this crucial period in Irish history, consider exploring Tim Carey’s “Hanged for Ireland: A Documentary History.”