Peter Barry facts for kids

Peter Barry (born August 10, 1928 – died August 26, 2016) was an important Irish politician and businessman. He was born in Cork city and lived there for most of his life. Peter Barry was a member of a political party called Fine Gael.

He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for many years, from 1969 to 1997. A TD is like a member of parliament in Ireland. He also served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1982 to 1987. This means he was in charge of Ireland's relationships with other countries. For a short time in 1987, he was the Tánaiste, which is like the deputy prime minister of Ireland.

Who Was Peter Barry?

Peter Barry was a well-known figure in Irish politics. He came from a family that was already involved in business and public service in Cork. He was known for being a hard worker and for his dedication to his country.

Early Life and Family

Peter Barry was born in Cork city. His father, Anthony Barry, was also a politician and a successful businessman. This meant Peter grew up seeing how politics and business worked. Peter Barry later had six children with his wife, Margaret Mullane. One of his daughters, Deirdre Clune, also became a politician, following in her father's footsteps.

Starting in Politics

Peter Barry first became a Teachta Dála (TD) in 1969. A TD is a person elected by the people to represent them in the Dáil Éireann, which is the Irish parliament. He represented different areas of Cork city during his time as a TD. Being a TD meant he helped make laws and spoke up for the people of Cork.

Important Government Roles

Over his career, Peter Barry held several important jobs in the Irish government. These roles allowed him to make big decisions for the country.

Minister for Foreign Affairs

One of his most significant roles was being the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1982 to 1987. In this job, he was responsible for how Ireland dealt with other countries around the world. He traveled to many places and met with leaders from different nations.

Becoming Tánaiste

In 1987, Peter Barry briefly served as the Tánaiste. This is the second most powerful position in the Irish government, right after the Taoiseach (prime minister). It showed how much trust and respect he had earned from his colleagues.

Helping with Peace

One of Peter Barry's most important achievements was his role in negotiating the Anglo-Irish Agreement. This agreement was signed in 1985 between the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom. It was a big step towards bringing peace and stability to Northern Ireland. Peter Barry worked hard to make sure this agreement happened, which helped improve relations between Ireland and the UK.

Later Political Career

After his time as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste, Peter Barry continued to serve as a TD until 1997. He remained an active and respected voice in Irish politics for many years. He was known for his calm approach and his commitment to public service.

Legacy

Peter Barry passed away in 2016. He is remembered as a dedicated politician who served Ireland for nearly 30 years. His work, especially on the Anglo-Irish Agreement, had a lasting impact on peace and cooperation in Ireland. He is seen as a person who truly cared about his country and its future.