
- 304 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
On 1 November 1920, eighteen-year-old UCD medical student Kevin Barry was hanged in Dublin's Mountjoy Jail for his role in a bungled IRA operation in which three British soldiers were killed. To this day, he remains a vibrant and celebrated icon of patriotic, idealistic death, his name synonymous with youthful republican sacrifice.
His life was short, but Kevin was more than a hapless teen swept away in the revolutionary maelstrom of the time. Here, Professor Eunan O'Halpin, a grand-nephew of Barry, accesses exclusive family records and other archives to explore Kevin's republicanism and the endurance of his memory, one hundred years on from his untimely death. Kevin's humorous letters show a rounded, irreverent and humane schoolboy and young man, while British records confirm his laconic heroism as he bravely awaited his inevitable execution.
From his unique vantage point, O'Halpin also considers Barry's death in parallel with those other Irishmen who died for the republican cause within days of his own, how his background challenged assumptions about those who fought for Irish independence, and the lasting legacy of having 'a martyr in the family'.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Dedication
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1. The Barrys in Context
- 2. The Education of a Rebel
- 3. Training and Military Service, 1917–20
- 4. Church Street
- 5. Defending Kevin
- 6. Reprieve or Rescue
- 7. Dying a Good Death
- 8. The Immediate Impact of Kevin’s Execution
- 9. Not Forgotten
- 10. Writing About Kevin
- 11. A Martyr in the Family
- Conclusion
- Endnotes
- Bibliography
- Index
- Plates