Smith Barry - Fota (Foaty) Island
John Smith Barry (1793-1837)
Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry 1852
“The Hon. John Barry, b. in 1725, youngest son of James, 4th Earl of Barrymore, succeeded, by bequest, in 1747. to
the unsettled estates of his father, which were very conciderable, including Marbury Hall, and large possessions
in Cheshire, and Foaty Island, and extensive estates in the co. of Cork. He m. in 1746, Dorothy, daughter and co-heir
of Hugh Smith, Esq., of Weald Hall, in Essex, by whom he got larges estates in the cos. Of Tipperary, Louth, and in
Huntingdon, and had two sons, James Hugh, his heir, and Richard, who d.s.p.”
The Early Years
The Smith Barry family of of Marbury Hall, Cheshire and Foaty, Carrigtwohill, were highly respected by their tenants
and leaseholders on both estates.
They were a family known for providing entertainment, festivals, and celebrations for the same communities.
Then, during the difficult times that came with the disaster that was the famine in Ireland they took care of the needy,
and fed the starving of their neighbourhood. Never showing any religious indifference to their catholic employee’s, tenants,
and leaseholders; treating all equally. This sense of community spirit lasted right up to the last Smith Barry lived on the
Fota estate.
Royal Yacht Club Cove
John Smith Barry had a love of racing yachts, winning many cups with ‘The Morning Star’ and ‘Columbine’, the latter
a 99 ton cutter.
Fota House
