Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 21:

Barry, Michael John, Irish
Brisbane Octogenarian
b. Co. Kerry 1858; ed. McNamara's School, Listowel, and All Hallows; ord. 1883; served in Gympie, Springsure, Blackall, Eidsvold, Charleville, Ipswich (1897 Directory). To quote a famous Sydney panegyrist: "We lose sight of him for a number of years". Probably he was in W.A. during the 40 odd years on the outer but there must have been a reconciliation. d. 5.4.1941; age 82; golden jubilee; buried in Nudgee.
(See Footprints, Vol. 1, No. 3)
Ref.: M.D.H.C. File (Torquay).

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Michael Joseph Barry, died 5 Apr 1941

Born at Kilcarragh, Co.Kerry, Ireland, on 20th October 1858. Michael Barry was educated at McNamara's School, Listowel and All Hallows. He was ordained on 24th June 1883. Fr Barry served in Gympie, Springsure, Blackall, Eidsvold, Charleville and Ipswich. No further Church records list him after June 1896. A report in The Age 9th May 1896 states Fr Barry was returning from celebrating Mass at Munbilla, when his horse took fright at the train on the Fassifern line . The animal bolted and upset the buggy and Fr Barry was thrown out of the buggy. His injuries rendered him unconscious for a time. The report in the Catholic Leader of his Solemn Requiem Mass at St Stephen's Cathedral on 7th April 1941 says he had been an invalid ever since the accident. He died aged 82 and is buried in Nudgee Cemetery.
(Ref. Linane B22 and Catholic Leader)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 201:
Rev Fr Michael John Barry

Michael Barry was born the son of Patrick and Anne (nee O'Donnell) Barry at Kilcarragh in co Kerry on 20 September 1858. He educated at Mr McNamara's school in Listowel and entered All Hallows' Seminary Dublin in 1878 and was ordained there on 24 June 1883.(1)

Upon his arrival in Brisbane he was appointed to Springsure in the Central West in 1885, where he worked alone for three years. In 1888, he moved to Blackall where he continued alone for another year or so. In 1890 and 1891 he served as a curate in Dalby and Charleville. From 1892 to 1896, he was curate at St Mary's, Ipswich.

After June 1896, there is no further Church record of him until there is an inscription on a grave in Nudgee which reads simply Rev Father Michael John Barry. Died 5th April, 1941, aged 82 years. RIP.

Forty-five years of this priest's life were spent 'in the mist'. At his funeral Archbishop Duhig spoke of 'an accident' that left him an invalid. It appears that he wandered around for some years vising America, England, and Ireland about 1901. He returned to Queensland and was out of employment for several years before being admitted to the Benevolent Asylum for the aged and infirmed at Dunwich on Stradbroke Island on the 28th November, 1908, where he remained till his death thirty two years later.

The Archbishop thanked the priest(2) who made the long boat journey to administer the last Sacraments to Fr Barry who died with all the consolations of his faith. He also commented that had his health been spared to him, there was no doubt that this priest would have done great work in the Archdiocese. But those things were in the hands of God.

Probably Michael Barry was one of the men Archbishop Dunne had in mind when he wrote in 1910 that during his episcopate (from 1882), he had seen four of his priests go into the lunatic asylum, one into the poor house and a number in the abyss. Dunne had seen the tragic effects on his priests of loneliness and isolation and the rigours of living and journeying in remote parishes.

The Prophet Ezekiel writes:

"The Lord says:
I am going to look after my flock.
I will rescue them from wherever they
have been scattered during the mist and darkness.
I shall look for the lost one,
bring back the stray,
bandage the wounded
and make the weak strong."
Ezekiel 34/11-16
We commend Michael Barry to Him.
Lord hear us(3) author Fr James Foley Banyo Seminary

Footnotes
1. Kevin Condon, The Missionary College of All Hallows 1842-1891, student number 1529, p. 346.
2. This priest was Father Alexander John Butler, parish priest of Breakfast Creek who faithfully carried out the chaplaincy mission to the Benevolent Asylum for a number of years.
3. Fr James Foley of Pius XII Seminary in Banyo, Qld, later became Bishop of Cairns 1991-2021.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.