KEVIN BARRY DIVISION 3
The Ancient Order Of Hibernians made its debut in Suffolk County in 1946, 110 years after its founding in New York City. The AOH organizing activity was spearheaded by Michael Rice, a native of County Mayo who moved to Suffolk from Queens. Through his efforts, Division One-Bay Shore, Two-Babylon and Three-Kings Park, were organized in 1946. Division Three's Charter was issued on April12, 1947.
The first meeting of Division Three was held in the American Legion Hall located on Thompson Street, Kings Park. Although exact dates are unknown, Division Three held its meetings in various places over the years, from Kings Park to old St. Patrick's Church, Smithtown, to the Sons of Norway, St. James, again to Kings Park, back to the new St. Patrick's Church, Main Street, Smithtown, until finally settling in at St. Joseph's Church, Kings Park.
Today Division Three organizes several events including: Wine and Cheese Mission Fundraiser, St. Patrick's Day Dance, Christmas Party, Fall Dance, "The Jack" Golf Outing, Scholarship Fund, Norte Dame Football Trip.
Our Organization also sponsors and lends a hand to: Project Children, St Joseph's Family Picnic, Right to Life, Irish Heritage Night, Angels without Faces, Father Pizzarelli's Hope House, Angela's House and many other worthwhile Charities and Events.
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About Us
History of Kevin Barry
Article and photo supplied by Tom O'Reilly
In October 1917 a young boy of fifteen years put himself forward to fight for the freedom of Ireland with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). His name was Kevin Barry and it would be a name that would echo through the years that followed his story.
As like many other volunteers Kevin Barry was set tasks throughout Dublin and the surrounding areas and was soon secretly training for a larger range of activities with the IRA. By the age of 16, keeping in mind he was still attending full time education, he was organizing raids in British warehouses and his most successful raid seen the kidnapping of 25 British Soldiers, which led him to a major promotion to Section Commander.
Kevin Barry’s path of military success was to be short lived however as in September 1920, he organized a raid which went horribly wrong. Whilst attempting to ambush British Soldiers and loot their ammunition, a street gun battle began and ended in the deaths of the 3 British Soldiers.
The capture of Kevin Barry
A significant moment as the last British deaths in Ireland happened in 1916. Barry was captured (it is said he was found hiding under a large vehicle) and was very quickly passed the death sentence.
For most of those who knew this young boy it was a shock to find out that he had been a member of the IRA let alone organized countless number of raids on the British Army. And as he was only eighteen years old when the death sentence was given, the majority of people did not believe that the execution would be followed through as he was so young.
However, after being taken to Mountjoy Prison stories started to circulate about his torture. The British were keen to get any information on the IRA including names, places etc and promised Kevin Barry his life if he gave them even a bit of information. He refused and therefore they began to torture him.
However, he was to remain loyal to his comrades and ‘The Cause’ and was hanged on the 1st of November 1920 on the grounds of Mountjoy Prison. A month after his death the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 was introduced that would see the partition of Ireland.
