James de Barry, 4th Viscount Buttevant facts for kids

James de Barry, 4th Viscount Buttevant (born 1520, died 1581) was an important Irish noble. He was also known as the 17th Baron Barry. James de Barry joined a group of rebels during the Desmond Rebellion. He was later captured and died while held at Dublin Castle.

Early Life and Family

James de Barry was born in 1520. He likely grew up at a place called Rathbarry, in the Barryroe area. His father was Richard de Barry, and his mother was Isabel FitzGerald.

His father, Richard, was the son of James de Barry, Lord of Ibane. His mother, Isabel, was the daughter of Sir James FitzGerald of Leixlip. Sir James was a younger son of Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, a very powerful Irish leader.

Carbery in Tudor times

Marriage and Children

Before the year 1550, James de Barry married Ellen. She was also known as Ilene. Ellen was the daughter of Cormac na Haoine MacCarthy Reagh, who was the 13th Prince of Carbery. This marriage was very good for James, as it connected him to an important family.

James and Ellen had five sons and five daughters.

Their sons were:

• Richard (died 1622): He was born deaf and could not speak. Because of this, he did not become the next Viscount. He never married.
• David (1550–1617): He was the second son and became the 5th Viscount after his father.
• William Barry: He lived in a place called Lislee.
• Edmund Barry: He married Eleanora, who was the daughter of James Butler, Baron Dunboyne.
• John Barry (died 1627)

Their daughters included:

• Joan: She married David Roche, 7th Viscount Fermoy.
• Honora: She married Patrick Condon.
• Eleanor: She married Sir Owen O'Sullivan.
• Ilane: She married Callaghan MacTeighe MacCarthy of Muskerry.

Becoming Viscount and Later Life

The previous Viscount, James Fitz John Barry, passed away in 1558 without any children. James de Barry was his cousin. Even though he wasn't the direct heir, he took control of the lands and claimed the title of Viscount.

In 1567, James de Barry was made a knight in Limerick. This honor was given to him by Henry Sidney, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland at the time. The Lord Deputy was like the Queen's main representative in Ireland.

In 1570, James de Barry was given permission to use the land where the friars' house used to be in Buttevant, County Cork. He could use this land for 21 years.

In 1579, a big conflict called the second Desmond Rebellion began. James de Barry and his son David decided to join the rebels.

Capture and Death

In July 1580, James de Barry was captured. He was held in Dublin Castle, which was a very important fortress and prison. He died there on April 10, 1581.

After his death, his lands were taken by the government. The land where the Buttevant Franciscan Friary was located, along with its surrounding fields, was given to a famous poet named Edmund Spenser.