Barry, Spranger (1719–1777)

Irish actor and theatre manager. He joined David Garrick's company at Drury Lane, London, in 1746 and was a successful actor on the stages of Covent Garden, London, and Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. He founded the Crow Street Theatre in Dublin in 1758 as a rival to the Smock Alley Theatre, then the only licensed theatre in Dublin. Two years later he also opened a playhouse in George's Street, Cork. This proved unsuccessful, and Barry was also forced to sell Crow Street Theatre to his rival Henry Mossop (1729–1774) of Smock Alley Theatre. The theatre eventually failed because of debts and mismanagement. Barry returned to London and continued acting.