The Earls of Barrymore

The first Earl of Barrymore, David Barry, acceded to the title in 1628. He also held the titles of Baron Barry and Viscount Buttevant, named for the family seat, which was in turn derived from the family motto, "Boutez en avant!" (strike forward). In succeeding centuries the title was passed down until it became extinct after the death of the 8th Earl in 1823.

While they held the Barrymore title, the Earls were actually descended, according to family records, from a different branch of the family, the Barry Roe or Red Barrys. This branch inherited the Barry titles and some of its members murdered potential rivals to secure their positions. Thus one of the key issues for investigation through DNA analysis is the relationship among the Barrymore, Barry Roe and other family branches, as revealed in the comparison of YDNA results.

One of the most prominent holders of the title was James Barry, the 4th Earl (1667-1748), the son of Richard Barry and Dorothy Ferrar. He had a long military career, initially serving William of Orange but subquently conspiring for a Stuart restoration. He sat in the House of Lords and was later elected a Member of Parliament and appointed to the Irish Privy Council. Upon his death he was succeeded by his son, also named James, who died in 1751 at the age of 34.

Richard Barry was born in 1745, the only son of James Barry, the 5th Earl, and Margaret Davys, daughter of Paul Davys, Viscount Mountcashel. He acceded to the title as a minor upon the death of his father in 1751 and later served as a captain in the 9th Regiment of Dragoon Guards. Richard Barry married Lady Amelia Stanhope, daughter of William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington, and by her had three sons and one daughter. He died of a fever in 1773 at Dromana, County Waterford, and is interred in County Cork. The title then passed to his eldest son, also named Richard, and subsequently to his second son Henry, the 8th and last Earl, who died intestate and without issue in 1823. The remaining property was then inherited by the descendants of the 4th Earl's youngest son, John Smith Barry.

Monument to James Barry, 4th Earl of Barrymore

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