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Kevin Barry

Irelands uprising in ninteen sixteen was crushed by the state
The ringleaders were arrested and death would be their fate
Charged with the crime of treason against the British Crown
Fifteen men faced a firing squad and without mercy shot down.

It caused outrage in Ireland, and support for independence grew
And from ninteen ninteen a guerrilla war did ensue
An eighteen year old medical student called Kevin Barry
Joined the republican movement to help set Ireland free.

The British empire was determined to keep Ireland at any cost
And as the violence escalated both British and Irish lives lost
The British needed reinforcements and came up with plans
To recruit men who became known as the notorious Black and Tan's.

They were sent over to Ireland by Winston Churchill
And were encouraged by the state to be ruthless and kill
They were psychopaths and undisciplined and carried out atrocities
Shooting innocent civilians and burning properties.

A shortage of guns and ammunition made it necessary
To carry out surprise raids against the British army
One such raid was carried out on soldiers, at a Dublin bakery
The rebels lost the element of surprise and it ended in tragedy.

Three soldiers died in a shootout and the rebels forced to flee
But one rebel got left behind, volunteer Kevin Barry
The first rebel to be captured and  was tortured brutally
 British soldiers carried out his interrogation, with impunity.

They wanted the names of the rebels who were with him that day
And dispite him being tortured he gave nothing away
A military court found him guilty and said he'd face the hangman
The first person to face execution since the independence war began.

A campaign to commute his sentence was by the British turned down
They wanted to send a stern message, to enemies of the Crown
On a cold morning in November in nineteen twenty
The British carried out his sentence, the death penalty.

They sent reinforcements to Mountjoy jail, and stationed them outside
Michael Collins realised a rescue mission, would have been suicide
Not being able to rescue Kevin Barry as he walked to his death
Troubled Michael Collins who often spoke with regret.

Many more followed Kevin Barry in the fight for liberty
And it was their ultimate sacrifice that set Ireland free
Barry's bravery is often remembered and ballads have been sung
About this brave young volunteer, whom by the British was hung.


Written on 14th June 2021.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2021

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Judy Ball Date: 6/29/2021 6:27:00 AM How sad and such a brave man despite his youth. War is a horrible and cruel thing that knows no mercy. Most wars are usually fought because either one leader wants to control another or take away what that country has and have it for himself. Just plain greed. And many innocent people die because of it. If good men don't stand up and fight for what is their's bad men will take it from them. A fine write my friend. God Bless, JB Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/29/2021 8:08:00 AM Thank you very much Judy, every country has the right to be free and govern itself, the British empire wanted world domination and used an iron fist to hang on to it but like all empires the tide eventually turns against them. Tom

Sara Kendrick Date: 6/20/2021 7:56:00 AM I like the story told in poetic form. Very creative way to go. I learned a little about the Irish fight to rule their own land. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/20/2021 8:09:00 AM Thank you very much Sara, a dark time in irish history but they never gave up. Tom

Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/18/2021 7:38:00 AM Thanks for this historical gem. There are so many heroes we have yet to be introduced to. Thanks for this introduction. In school there seemed to much focus on dates and not enough on the humanity. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/18/2021 8:40:00 AM Thank you very much Richard, I do include dates etc but try and show the human story, dark or otherwise. Tom

Lindsay Laurie Date: 6/15/2021 10:19:00 PM Hello Tom … another sad tale of heroism that comes with war unfortunately. It’s because of men like Kevin Barry who offer the ultimate sacrifice that eventually change things - a great piece of history Tom - Lindsay Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/16/2021 1:11:00 AM Thank you very much Lindsay, the irish were determined to get their country back and the British used everything to hang on to it but like all empires they failed in the end. Tom

Beryl Edmonds Date: 6/15/2021 6:26:00 PM I didn’t know that the British had been so cruel to the people of Ireland back then Tom, it’s an eye opener. You tell historic stories interestingly and poetically well… Belle Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/16/2021 1:09:00 AM Thank you very much Belle, it does make grim reading, they carried out many atrocities, even their commander resigned because of their behaviour, the British empire has blood on its hands, South Africa, Kenya and India all suffered similar atrocities, sad to say they were no better than the Nazis. Tom

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/15/2021 2:40:00 PM wow, I did not know about this great Irish hero. The poor guy. Tortured and still did not give up his friends. he has a place in heaven I think. Great retelling of history, Tom Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 3:04:00 PM Thank you very much Andrea, he was a hero for sure and only 18 years of age. The British were like that in countries that were part of their empire. The days of rule britannia are long gone. Empires come and go. Tom

Rico Leffanta Date: 6/15/2021 11:31:00 AM Well done, Tom! The British are still opposed to a unified Eire, although the Irish will continue to fight among themselves until religion dissolves. British cruelty and deception does not begin to match that of the USA, nor China, but persuading Americans to budget more for education than the military is a lost cause. Login to Reply Rico Leffanta Date: 6/16/2021 11:32:00 AM Our Members of Congress believe cannon fodder do not need an education. The USA is way, way behind in cryptology because Congress does not support education. Both of my children were average students in Britain, but immediately placed in the "Gifted Children" programme in the USA, where my son passed the SAT at age 12 in the top 4%, and my daughter at age 13. Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 11:49:00 AM Thank you Rico, I don't think there will ever be real peace there, too much hatred, why is it that men in uniform carry out these atrocities with impunity, I wrote another poem about My Lai in the Vietnam war. Why is it everyone wants to rule the world and have the biggest gun, isn't education important? Tom

Rama Balasubramanian Date: 6/15/2021 10:52:00 AM Wonderful story lucidly recited. Reminded me of martyrs who were hanged to death during Indian freedom struggle. Colonialism an reflection of heartlessness of humans. In India many were shot dead at jallianwala Bagh. 3 freedom fighters who bombed parliament were hanged to death! Am sure this will be a Potd.Should be. Login to Reply Rama Balasubramanian Date: 6/15/2021 11:41:00 AM Same thing I mentioned it is Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Amritsar. You have deep knowledge of history and present. Take care, God bless! Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 11:02:00 AM Thank you very much Rama, the British ruled their empire with an iron fist, I was reading up about their time in India and their brutal behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful. One particular story I read was the massacre at Amritsar, defenceless men women and children murdered. England should hang its head in shame. Even recently in Northern Ireland innocent people murdered by the army. But we all have to account for our actions one day. Tom

Sotto Poet Date: 6/15/2021 10:21:00 AM WOW, This is the addition of another gemstone to your throne of well-constructed lectures on historical events, Tom. I was already familiar with the issue, but how you presented it sparked my interest. Recounted countless stories to me of atrocities committed by the British, who were anxious to cling on to their dwindling empire at any price—a fave. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 10:51:00 AM Thank you very much Lasaad, im pleased that you enjoyed it. Many countries who were ruled by the British empire suffered similiar atrocities, Kenya, South Africa, and India. They carried out those atrocities with the backing of the government at the time. Enquiries are held and witness statements gathered but no one is held accountable. All evildoers will one day stand before God and they'll be held to account. Thanks too for the fave, hope your week is going well. Tom

Kim Rodrigues Date: 6/15/2021 8:28:00 AM So great you are at poetic history. I learned something! You have kept Kevin Barry’s sacrifice before our eyes. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 8:34:00 AM Thank you very much Kim, it was a dark time for Ireland but they came through in the end dispite being outmanned and outgunned. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 6/15/2021 2:42:00 AM Another jewel in your crown of masterfully written lectures on historical events, my dearest friend, Tom. I was familiar with the story but the way you narrated it , it becomes more intrested. Thank you. Are you going to be considered an enemy of the crown now? Lol! Blessings my good friend! A Fave! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 3:00:00 AM Thank you very much Demetrios, having an irish background I heard many stories of the atrocities carried out by the British who were determined to hang on to their dwindling empire at any cost. Of course no one was brought to account but one thing I know when judgement day comes there will be no hiding for the evildoers. Tom

Victor Buhagiar Date: 6/15/2021 1:07:00 AM Your historical poems are worthy to be bound in a book. Your poem is excellent. A fave. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/15/2021 1:24:00 AM Thank you very much Victor, we often talk of what the Nazis did to civilians sadly the British were no better, using thugs to bring fear and terror to the population. Even the man in charge resigned as he didn't want to be associated with them. As per normal with the British no one was held to account. Thanks too for the fave. Tom

Gershon Wolf Date: 6/14/2021 3:50:00 PM Another bite of history from our eminent historian of the Isles, T.C. I learned a lot, and I'm sure many others will too. Thanks for the history lesson, Professor. Class dismissed. Test tomorrow. Smiles, Gershon Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/14/2021 4:07:00 PM Thank you very much Gershon, im glad you enjoyed the lesson. It was a bit of a David and Goliath story, heavily out manned and gunned they sent the British packing. Tom

Vijay Pandit Date: 6/14/2021 1:38:00 PM Another one of your masterpiece creations--your story resonates from the realm of history, Tom. Yet, one more proof for the world that no nation can tolerate occupation. A monumental lesson for humanity. Excellent, as always. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/14/2021 2:16:00 PM Thank you very much Vijay, im pleased that you enjoyed it. No country has the right to violate another's sovereignty, Ireland had every right to take up arns against their tyrannical masters. Tom

Alexis Y. Date: 6/14/2021 1:20:00 PM WoW! Tom You have penned such a well written, informative historical write. I echo what Jan said. Excellent job. Have a great day:-) Alexis Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/14/2021 1:27:00 PM Thank you very much Alexis, im pleased that you enjoyed it. Hope you're well. Tom

Jan Allison Date: 6/14/2021 12:06:00 PM You do so much research and this historical poem amazing Tom perhaps you could send it to a newspaper and have it published to a wider audience:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/14/2021 12:31:00 PM Thank you very much Jan, ill do a bit of research on that. I love history and composing poems from what I've read. Tom