Stowing away on board ship in search of a better life, he finally returned to Liverpool, and joined the local branch of the Labour Party. His charisma, stature, organising ability and gift as an orator soon propelled him to the front rank of British socialism.

In 1907, he returned to Ireland, organising the Irish Transport and General Workers Union among the dockers in Belfast and Dublin. Strikes and riots resulted. But Larkin led a demonstration of over 1,000 workers through the Shankill and Falls in July! One newspaper stated: �Never has Ireland witnessed such a practical demonstration of the solidarity of labour.�

Deciding to tour the USA, in order to raise funds, he remained there for 8 years, as lecturer, agitator and political prisoner. In his absence, the post as General Secretary of the ITGWU was occupied by James Connolly, until his execution during the Easter Rising of 1916.

Sentenced to five years imprisonment, Larkin was released after three years, due to the intervention of New York Governor, Al Smith. However, he was deported back to Ireland.

When Larkin eventually arrived home, it was to a very different country. The 1916 Rebellion, the War of Independence, the Civil War and the Irish Free State had utterly changed everything. Socialist politics and trade unions seemed no longer so relevant.

Though elected as an Irish Labour TD, �Big Jim� had lost most of his prestige and influence. His son, Jim, was later also elected to Dail Eireann, while his grandson of the same name, who died two years ago, was a union leader.

Meanwhile, Peadar Barry had got involved with the GAA as a �lump of a lad,� and though never aspiring to be a star player, he soon understood the rules of the Association, better than many officials.

Indeed, the great success of Gaelic games in the county, owes much to his involvement, since being elected Secretary of the newly-formed Down County Board, at its inaugural meeting at St Mary�s Hall, Burren in 1926. He held that post for over 30 years.

Without a car, electricity, phone or fax through most of his career, Peadar relied on the post and telegrams for communicating with officials, North and South. As a referee, he would cycle to various venues, starting about 11 am. The return trip would take longer, as he would stop off to call on club officials along the way.

Though only a small farmer, Peadar Barry was an institution, as people turned to him for advice. His cottage at Corrags was seldom without callers, as he was regarded as a very knowledgeable person, - a man of integrity with strong convictions. And he read the newspapers to the uneducated, as well as being the neighbourhood barber!

Full of stories relating to days gone by, Peadar would regale his listeners to tales of strange romances, the cruelties perpetrated on the peasantry during the 1798 Rebellion, the stirring events of the Land League period, - all heard as a child at the fireside. His home was also a mecca for card-playing.

Born in 1891, son of Peter Barry from Corrags and Annie O�Hare of Derrylecka, he left school at the age of 12, to help out on the family farm, due to his father�s ill-health. But the lessons learned at Carrick school from esteemed teacher, John O�Hare, stood him in good stead, both in sport and politics.

During his long period as Down Co. Secretary, the Mourne county rose in stature and prestige. The men in red and black, including Jimmy Heaney from Burren, won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1946, and finally reached the pinnacle in 1960, bringing the Sam Maguire Cup across the border for the first time.

And how appropriate that, as President of the Down GAA, Peadar Barry should be presented with the Sam Maguire Cup by captain, Kevin Mussen, during massive �welcome home� celebrations in Newry town centre.

Incidentally, sport and politics coincided for this modest son of Burren, a few years later. As Down GAA President, he welcomed his former commander-in-chief, Frank Aiken, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the official opening of Pairc an Iuir. The wheel had turned full circle!

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