No. 295: Kevin Barry

Kevin Barry is a well-known and highly-regarded name in Ireland, and beyond.

The most famous Kevin Barry was a young Irish Republican Army soldier who was executed by the British government during the Irish War of Independence. His life and death inspired the Irish rebel song titled Kevin Barry. 

Another martyr for old Ireland, another murder for the Crown.

That, though, has nothing to do with today’s guest. This Kevin Barry was named after an uncle, and he is one of a great many men named Kevin Barry in Ireland.

This Kevin Barry, though, is the only one, to my knowledge, who has written a novel that was set in Butte in the 1890s. He has written a handful of novels, a few collections of short stories and some plays.

His latest novel is called “The Heart in Winter,” and it is a love story about a couple trying to escape Butte in 1891. Barry started research for this book in 1999. That is when he rolled off a Greyhound Bus from Seattle and made his first stop in the M&M.

After spending time in Butte doing research, he started writing his book. It did not click with him, so he put it aside for a couple of decades. Then, he came back and wrote a book he can be proud of.

Barry has been in Butte for almost a week now promoting his book. Earlier today, I caught up with him at the Knights of Columbus Hall for a fun conversation.

Listen in to hear about Barry’s travels, including his initial visit to the Mining City. Listen as he talks about growing up in Ireland and his career as a journalist and writer. Listen as he talks about why he chose Butte for the setting of his novel.

Listen as he talks about what it is like to come to Butte with an Irish accent, and listen as he tells us that he is not the martyr who fought to free Ireland.

Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the ⁠⁠Jewelry Design Center⁠⁠. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life.

Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠timmontana.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more from Bill Foley, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ButteCast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.