Tom Barry
Tom Barry was born in KIllorglin Co Kerry on 1st of July 1897 and baptised in St James Parish Church. His early education was at Killorglin N S from 1901 to 1908. His father Thomas was from Bohonagh, Rosscarbery and his mother Margaret from Liscarroll in North Cork. His father served in the RIC, but resigned in 1908 and returned to Rosscarbery where the family ran a retail business in The Arcade (The Old Post Office) until 1915. Tom continued his education at Ardagh Boys N S and for two years at Mungret College. In 1915 Tom enlisted in the British Army for the duration of World War 1. He saw regular service in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Barry family moved to Bandon and subsequently emigrated to Liverpool. Tom returned to Bandon after the War, and campaigned for proper pensions and recognition for himself and his former colleagues. News of the Easter Rising had stirred his national consciousness and he approached and joined the IRA in 1919 as Training Officer. His military training and active service experience were put to use with great effect. He was the most successful Flying Column Leader during the War of Independence. The successful engagements at Kilmichael and Crossbarry are testament to his military prowess, as are locally the Battle of Burgatia House and the attack on Rosscarbery RIC Barracks. In August 1921 he married Leslie Price. He took the Anti Treaty side during the Civil War; he was arrested, imprisoned in Mountjoy, Kilmainham and Gormanstown, and escaped from the latter. In 1927 he was appointed General Superintendent with Cork Harbour Commissioners and retired in 1965. He unveiled the Monument to Michael Collins at Sam’s Cross in 1965. Tom died in Cork on 2nd July 1980 and is buried in St Finbarrs Cemetery, Cork.
Tómas De Barra.
Rugadh Tómas De Barra I gCill Orglan, Co Chiarraí ar 1 Úil 1897 agus baisteadh é in Eaglais Shéamais Naofa. D’fhreastail sé ar an Scoil Náisiúnta áitiúil ó 1901-1908. B’as Bothanach, Ros Cairbre é a athair agus b’as Lios Cearúil I dtuaisceart Chorcaí í a mháthair. Bhí a athair Tómas ina bhall den R.I.C. ach d’éirigh sé as I 1908 agus d’fhill sé ar Ros Cairbre. Bhí gnó miondála aige sa Stuabhealach (An Sean Oifig an Phoist) go dtí 1915. D’fhreastail Tómas Óg ar an mbunscoil áitiúil in Ardachadh agus ar Choláiste Mhungairit. Liostáil sé in Arm Shasana i 1915 agus bhí sé ina bhall den arm sin fad is a bhí an Chéad Chogadh Domhanda ar siúl. Chaith sé tréimhsí sa Mheaspatáim agus san Éigipt mar shaighdiúir. D’aistrigh muintir De Barra go Droichead na Bandan agus tamaillín ina dhiaidh sin chuaigh said ar imirce go Learpholl. D’fhill Tómas ar Droichead na Bandan tar éis an Chogaidh agus d’oibrigh sé go dian chun cearta pinsin agus aitheantais a bhaint amach dó féin agus dá sheanchomhleacaithe. Mhúscail Éirí Amach na Cásca a spiorad Náisiúnta agus chuaigh sé isteach in Arm Poblachtach na hÉireann i 1919 mar oifigeach oiliúna. Bhí a chuid taithí in Arm Shasana buntáisteach agus tairbheach don I.R.A. B’e Tómas an Ceannaire Colún Reatha ba rathúla I rith Cogadh na Saoirse. Bhuaigh sé na cathanna I gCill Mhichíl agus I gCrois an Bharraigh. Sa cheantar áitiúil ghabh sé Teach Buirghéiseach agus Beairic an R.I.C. I Ros Cairbre ar an 30ú Marta 1920. Phós sé Leslie Price I mí Lúnasa 1921. Throid sé leosan a bhí in aghaidh an Chonartha sa Chogadh Cathartha 1922-1923. Gabhadh é agus cuireadh é I bpríosún I Muinseó, I gCill Mhaoghnean agus I mBaile Gormáin. D’éirigh leis eáló ó phríosún Bhaile Gormáin. Ceapadh é mar Ardstiúrthóir le Coimisinéirí Poirt Chorcaí agus chuaigh sé amach ar pinsean I 1965. Nocht sé an Leacht in onóir do Micheál Ó Coiuleáin I gCrois Shomhairle I 1965. Fuair se bás I gCorcaigh ar 2 Úil 1982 agus tá sé curtha I Reilig Fhionbarra Naofa I gCorcaigh.