Castleisland native Michael Barry would have celebrated his 75th birthday today.
Michael passed away yesterday morning, Sunday, September 22nd in hospital in Enniskillen after a short illness.
A son of the late Jim and Ellen Barry of No. 20 Church Street, Castleisland, Michael had also lived in Stretford in Manchester and in Co. Fermanagh.
He was predeceased by his wife Ann, RIP and is survived by his partner, Sheila, his sons, Ian and Stephen and daughter Janet.
Loved and missed by his daughters in law: Heather and Louise, his sisters, Maura and Ellen and his brothers: Buddy, James and Denis ‘Pele’ along with and grandsons, Joseph and Lewis, his granddaughter, Beth and his brothers in law and sisters in law and all of his many friends.
May he Rest in Peace
The late Michael Barry is being waked in Sheila Gormly’s home in Lack Road, Irvinstown until Tuesday and then going home to Stretford in Manchester.
Like a Father
As the youngest member of a typically big Irish family of the time, Ellen Barry remembers her older brother Michael as being ‘like a dad’ to her.
He came home to Castleisland regularly and was here for all the great occasions in Ellen’s life like the big birthdays of her children.
“Michael was such a kind and caring person he was like a dad to me. He loved his dancing and especially his singing and was always so so proud to be a Kerry man,” Ellen recalled.
Loved Castleisland
“He loved his home town Castleisland no matter what time of year he was away on his dancing holidays he always wore his Kerry jersey and treasured his Castleisland Rugby Club tie.
“He was a great dad and granddad and was so proud of his family.
“His one dream was to make a CD and his dream came true and what a beautiful CD it is,” said his proud and deeply saddened sister, Ellen.
May he rest in Peace.
The late Michael Barry also wrote the local anthem, ‘Sweet Castleisland’ of which I heard Garry McCarthy giving a fine version at Fagin Hartnett’s Bar only a couple of weeks ago.
Sweet Castleisland
Sweet Castleisland, so dear to me,
In that green valley I’d long to be,
Down by the Maine I’d love to roam,
In Castleisland, my home, sweet home.
I’m an exile far, far away,
On foreign shores I earn my pay,
Each day I dream the day will come,
That I’ll be there when old songs are sung.
Sweet Castleisland, so dear to me,
In that green valley I’d long to be,
Down by the Maine I’d love to roam,
In Castleisland, my home, sweet home.
Now the boat is waiting, I’m on my way,
Back home to Kerry, that’s where I’ll stay,
My ramblings over, no more I’ll roam,
From Castleisland my home, sweet home.
Sweet Castleisland, so dear to me,
In that green valley I’d long to be,
Down by the Maine I’d love to roam,
In Castleisland, my home, sweet home.
