Barry Club tests students’ knowledge of Revolutionary War hero

January 22, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Commodore Barry Club President Mary Nolan, Hon. John Ingram (left) and state Sen. Marty Golden all attended the club’s social last fall. Photo courtesy Commodore Barry Club of Brooklyn

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College students can win prizes for their knowledge of the Revolutionary War and Irish history by entering a contest sponsored by the Commodore Barry Club of Brooklyn, Inc.

The club promotes the legacy of Commodore John Barry, the Irish immigrant who fought in the Revolutionary War and is considered by many to be the father of the U.S. Navy. The club is soliciting submissions from college undergraduates for its contest.

Students are asked to submit a 1,000-word research paper on the theme of the accomplishments of Commodore John Barry. Under the contest rules, the writer must address the problems that Barry faced in his time and detail how he solved them.

Entries can be submitted electronically to the club’s website, on the “Contact Us” page.

The contest deadline is Sunday, March 1.

The top prize is $500. The second place winner will receive $250. A $100 prize will be awarded to the third place finisher. Ten students will receive Honorable Mention.

The prize winners will be asked to deliver their papers during a ceremony at Commodore Barry Park, located at Flushing Avenue and Navy Street. The ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

The Commodore Barry Club of Brooklyn holds numerous events throughout the year to promote the history and legacy of John Barry. Barry emigrated to the U.S. from County Wexford, Ireland as a young man, working as a cabin boy on a ship and quickly rose through the ranks after demonstrating his courage and seafaring skills. He led U.S. Naval forces in several battles at sea during the Revolutionary War. He died in 1803.

In November, club members gathered for their Annual Social and Dance at St. Patrick’s Church Auditorium in Bay Ridge. Members and their guests danced to Irish music. The guests included Hon. John Ingram and state Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-southwest Brooklyn).

Two months earlier, club members traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the dedication of an official historical marker honoring Commodore Barry. And last spring, club members went to Annapolis, Maryland to participate in the dedication of the Commodore Barry Memorial at the U.S. Naval Academy.

For more information on the club, visit www.commodorebarryclubbrooklyn.org.