Tom Barry and Leslie Price love story takes centre stage
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Tom Barry’s wedding party at Vaughan’s Hotel, Dublin on August 22, 1921. Included are first row: seated, second left, Harry Boland; sixth from left, Liam Deasy; bride Leslie Price; Eamon de Valera; Tom Barry; seated second from right, Mary McSwiney and seated far right, Countess Marcievicz. Standing, first row, Michael Collins (circled) who lowered his head to protect his identity; tenth left Dick Mulcahy; twelfth left, Eoin O’Duffy; sixteenth left Emmet Dalton.Image 2 of 4
Tom Barry holds court.Image 3 of 4
Leslie in her later years dressed in a Red Cross uniform.Image 4 of 4
A scene from the TG4 documentary on Tom Barry and Leslie Price.During a tumultuous time in Irish history, General Tom Barry and Leslie Bean de Barra (née Price), two of the nation's most prominent revolutionaries formed a close bond. Sparks flew as they met in West Cork during the most violent period of the Irish War of Independence.
Their love story is the subject of TG4’s 'Scéalta Grá na hÉireann', Ireland’s Greatest Love Stories available on the TG4 player. It was broadcast last night.
Tom Barry was the famous IRA flying column commander in West Cork and Leslie Price was a veteran of the GPO in 1916 and senior officer of the Cumann Na mBan.
The couple were married in St Joseph’s Church in Dublin and the reception was held in Vaughan’s Hotel in Parnell Square where the great and good of the IRA attended the wedding. Eamon DeValera, President of the Dáil who insisted on sitting between the bride and groom in the front row. Many of the people photograph ended up being on on opposing sides of the War of Independence.
According to the Michael Collins Centre: “Michael Collins thought the photographer was a British spy and stood at the back with his head down.” 12 months after the photo was taken he was shot dead.
After spending their twenties taking on of the British Empire, Tom Barry and Leslie's love continued to grow as they aged. They settled down together in a small flat upstairs in the Woodford Bourne Building where Patrick’s Street meets Daunt Square.
Although Tom originally hailed from Kerry and Leslie was born in Dublin they were both embraced by all Corkonians. When their duties allowed, they would walk the Mardyke together, take a sup of porter in the Hi-B bar and were regular visitors to the bar in the Victoria Hotel.
The couple were not only key players in the Irish Republican movement, but their contributions to the country have had a lasting impact even to this day. Leslie in particular, had a formidable list of achievements. Her charitable work led to the formation of influential organisations such as Gorta and the VHI, which continue to make a difference. She also became president of the Irish Red Cross.
Tom Barry also left a lasting mark through his book 'Guerrilla Days in Ireland', published in 1949 after an unsuccessful political campaign. The book, based on his personal experiences during the War of Independence, became a popular and widely read account of the period. Tom and Leslie lived a long and celebrated life together, they both lived into their 80s and Tom passed away in the Regional Hospital. Both Tom and Leslie share a plot together in St Finbarr’s cemetery and when Leslie died the whole of Cork city came out to mark her passing, the city flags flying at half-mast. Who would believe a Dublin woman could become an honorary citizen of Cork city? For a woman who went on to play a central role in the Irish Red Cross and to set up VHI and Gorta, this is one of her lesser achievements, perhaps.
'Ireland’s Greatest Love Stories' is available to stream on the TG4 player.