The Barry family in Ireland

The noble family of Barry came to this country In the train of William the Conqueror, and was most probably of Norman origin. Many historians assert, however, that the family descended from the powerful counts of Paris, who, through Hugh Capet, the last holder of that dignity, became kings of France.

The name Barry, was In former times spelt in various ways; those who could write, used any form of spelling their fancy dictated, or the tongue, or dialect of the various districts suggested. Many instances of this are recorded, but for the present purpose, the following will suffice. From the original, Paris, the name is found by Norman-French changed to Barre, Barri, the last with, and without, the de or du; then again distorted by the various dialects of Great Britain, into Barry. Diparry, Pers, Parr, Parrish, Dunbar and Parry.

The ancestor and founder of the family of Barry here, was William de Barre, who was followed soon after the battle of Hastings, by other relatives from Normandy. These Included one, Robert de Barre, sent by William the Conqueror, as an ambassador to the Pope in 1069. To give services rendered by the members of this family, over some seven or eight centuries, would be beyond the province of the present work; suffice It to say that, though they came of a race of warriors, the Barrys have shone in all branches of learning and art.

William De Barry was the common ancestor of the Barry family. He married Angareth, daughter of Nesta who was known as "The Helen of Wales". Nesta was the daughter of Rhese Gruffyoth. Prince of South Wales. William de Barry had four sons, Robert. Philip was ancestor to the Earl of Barrymore, Walter and Gearald Ahbrensis. that noted historian who died In 1215.

In 1169 Robert De Barry accompanied his uncle Robert Fitzstephen in the Norman invasion of this country. He was wounded at the siege of Wexford and it is said that he was the first Norman casualty of the Invasion. To the Irish he was known as Barry Mor (Big Barry) tribute to his splendid physique. In 1185 he was killed at the siege of Lismore in Co. Waterford.

His brother, Philip, arrived with a fresh hand of invaders, in February 1186, to help his Uncle Robert Fitzstephen and Raymond Le Grosse (Raymond the fat), to preserve the Kingdom of Cork and to recover and to build castles upon his lands at O'Lethan, Doneagh, Killide and in Co. Limerick.

These lands were given by way of grant to Philip by his Uncle who had established himself firmly in O'Lethan lands (Castlelyons in Cork) but not in the other two centers or division.

The O'Leathan lands may be approximately equated to the present barony of Barrymore, east of Cork city. Muscrai Donegan was an ancient deanery, now represented by the barony of Orrery and Kilmore, with part of the Duhallow and Fermoy baronies. Kilide, refers to the country round Klleedy, Co. Limerick.

Buttevant Castle was the chief residence of the clan Donegan, who rejected every Norman surrender move, until it was ultimately surprised and captured by a David De Barry, son of Philip. In 1206. Philip's eldest son William, was confirmed by King John, and by Charter became Lord of Castlelyons, Buttevant and Barry's Court, where he soon afterwards built a castle. It was William who founded the abbey at Ballybeg about 1230, and his son David Og De Barry, established the Franciscan Friary in Buttevant about 1251.

Thus the Barrys established themselves in Muscrai Donegan. They built this castle on the Donegan fortress at Bothon (Buttevant) and fortified, which was their chief stronghold, with an inner, and outward wall. They also built castles at Lisgriffin, Ballyclough, Liscarroll, Churchtown, Rathgoggin, Broghill, Balllncurrig, Templeconnell etc., in the Barony of Orrery and Kilmore.