Born in 1870 at Kildorrery, Co Cork, son of Thomas Barry, he was educated at Queen's College, Cork, a constituent of the old Royal University of Ireland. In 1900 he went into general practice in Cheshire and continued his researches in physiology at the University of Liverpool. He then went to Germany, working at Heidelberg and Berlin, and took the Fellowship in 1907. In 1907 he was appointed professor of physiology at Queen's College, Cork, whose constitution and name were changed in 1908 to University College in the new National University of Ireland. This post Barry held with distinction till 1942, when he retired at the age of 72 and was granted the title of Emeritus Professor. Besides being an excellent teacher, he produced much sound new work of his own, particularly on heart perfusion and related topics. He married Yvonne, daughter of Felix Boiret of Paris, in 1908. After the war of 1914-18 he worked at the Maritime Laboratories in Dinard. He kept more closely in touch with French scientific research than most of his British and Irish colleagues. At the end of his life Barry settled at 7 Lancaster Gate, London W2, and died in the London Clinic on 15 April 1955, aged 84, survived by his wife and their two sons. Publications (selected): On the path of conduction between auricle and ventricle in the amphibian and reptilian heart. *J Physiol* 1921, 55, 423. Mitral insufficiency. *J Physiol* 1924, 58, 362. The formation of the V wave in the venous pulse. *J Physiol* 1924, 59, 293. The functions of the great splanchnic nerves. *J Physiol* 1932, 75, 480. The course of cardiac nerve fibres in the pulmonary plexuses. *J Physiol* 1935, 84, 263.