THE SOCIETY OF COMMODORE JOHN BARRY USN
(THE
IRISH CENTER)
The Society of Commodore John Barry USN, also
known at the Irish Center, was established in 1951 to promote Irish culture
and traditions in the Delaware Valley area.
The Irish Center is a large facility located at Carpenter Lane and Emlen Streets
in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, rental facilitys are available for meetings,
weddings, parties and any other occasions of all sizes. Additionally, the
Irish Center serves as a "ehome"e to several Irish organizations.
Lessons in Irish music and dance, both adult and children's are held weekly,
and a traditional Irish music session is usually held every Friday evening.
For further information about the Irish Center, please call manager John Nolan
at (215) 843-8051, or e-mail him at:
centerinfo@irishcenter.com
IMPORTANT DATES IN COMMODORE
BARRY'S LIFE
1745 – Born, Tacumshin, County Wexford Ireland
1760- Moves to Philadelphia, Barry grew to be a tall (6’4”), muscular, well
respected seaman. A salient event which occurred in Barry’s youth lead to
a lifelong enmity of oppression and the British
1766 – September 29 receives first command, the Schooner “Barbadoes”
1767 – October 31 Marries Mary Clary
1774 – February 9 First Wife Dies
1775 – September 10-11 – Captures 18th century speed record for Trans-Atlantic
crossing of ocean, recording 237 miles traveled during on e 24 hour period.
1775 – October – Named Outfitter of first Continental Fleet
1776 – March 14 – Receives commission for John Hancock as Captain in Continental
Navy and command of Brig. “Lexington”.
1776 – April 7 – Captures first British Warship under Continental Authority
the Tender - HMS Edward
1777 – January 3 Fights at Battle of Princeton
1777 – January 8 Meets George Washington for first time
1778 – March 7 Captures 2 Transports and a schooner in Spectacular boat raid
in Lower Delaware
1778 – March 12 – receives personal commendations from Washington for valor
under arms
1778- September 28 – Stubbornly defends ship Raleigh in Battle with superior
forces of British frigate and ship of the line
1779 – Elected a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
1781 – May 28 – defeats HMS Atlanta and HMS Trepassey both sloops, off Newfoundland
1785 – October 31 – elected a member of the Society of the Cincinnati Fraternal
order of Revolutionary Officers from Army and Navy.
1787 – December 10 – Sales to Canton, China from Philadelphia in Merchant
Ship, Asia
1790 – Elected a member of the Hibernian Society for the relief of emigrants
from Ireland.
1794 – June 4 – Named Senior Captain of U.S. Navy
1797 – May 10 – Presides over launching of his 44 gun frigate and flagship
USS United States
1801 – March 6 – Final day of active duty in U.S. Navy
1803 – September 12 – Dies in Philadelphia, still head of U.S. Navy
1803 – September 14 – buried at Old St. Mary’s in Philadelphia with full military
honors.
