Barry Devlin

Barry Devlin (born 27 November 1946) is an Irish musician, songwriter, screenwriter, and director from Ardboe, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.^[1] He is best known as the bassist, vocalist, and a founding member of the pioneering Celtic rock band Horslips, which he co-formed in 1970 and with which he toured extensively across Ireland and Europe until the band's initial disbandment in 1980, followed by reunions in later decades.^[2] In addition to his music career, Devlin has made significant contributions to television and film as a writer and director, including penning the screenplay for the BBC One drama series My Mother and Other Strangers (2016–2017), which draws on wartime events and post-war community experiences from his childhood in rural Northern Ireland.^[3] Devlin grew up in a close-knit family as the only boy among six sisters—Anne, Marie, Polly, Valerie, Claire, and Helen—in Ardboe, a parish on the western shore of Lough Neagh. His father Tommy was a shop owner and Tyrone Gaelic footballer; many locals relied on eel fishing for livelihood.^[4][1] His mother, Eileen, was a teacher, and the family home was near a former USAAF airfield that influenced local stories and his later writing.^[3] Notably, his older sister Marie was married to the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney from 1965 until Heaney's death in 2013.^[4] After spending over four years training as a Columban priest, Devlin pursued music and the arts, eventually marrying actress and producer Caroline Erskine in 1982.^[5][6] In his screenwriting career, Devlin contributed episodes to popular series such as Ballykissangel and The Darling Buds of May, and in the 1980s, he directed music videos for U2.^[2] His work often reflects themes from his Tyrone upbringing, blending personal history with broader cultural narratives, as seen in My Mother and Other Strangers, which explores the impact of American servicemen on a Northern Irish community during the war.^[3] Devlin's multifaceted career has earned him recognition in both Irish music and media circles, with Horslips' innovative fusion of rock, folk, and Celtic mythology leaving a lasting legacy on the genre.^[2]

Early life and education

Upbringing in Northern Ireland

Barry Devlin was born on 27 November 1946 in Moortown, Ardboe, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He grew up in a rural Catholic family as the only son among six sisters—Anne, Marie, Polly, Valerie, Claire, and Helen—with his mother, Eileen, working as a teacher and his father, Tommy, owning a local shop and having played Gaelic football for Tyrone. The family's home was situated in the flat alluvial lands along the western shore of Lough Neagh, a region where fishing, particularly for eels, was a primary livelihood for much of the parish.^[4][3] Devlin's early years were shaped by the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and traditions in the Ardboe community, including local stories passed down through generations and the prominence of the ninth-century Ardboe High Cross, a remnant of early Christian heritage. Music played a central role in family life, with traditional Irish songs from the Lough Neagh area frequently heard around the home, fostering his lifelong appreciation for Celtic musical roots. These cultural elements were intertwined with the strong religious ethos of the rural Catholic parish, where centuries-old customs and community gatherings reinforced a sense of identity and continuity.^[3][7] Inspired by his family's devout values and the pervasive religious culture of mid-20th-century Northern Ireland, Devlin developed an initial interest in the priesthood during his teenage years, reflecting the era's emphasis on clerical vocations among Catholic youth. This period coincided with the socio-political tensions of post-World War II Northern Ireland, marked by the lingering effects of partition, economic hardship in rural areas, and the presence of British military airfields nearby, such as the former USAAF Station 238 at Cluntoe, which brought American servicemen into contact with local communities until the RAF's withdrawal in 1955. Amid these influences, Devlin's exposure to traditional Irish music deepened through informal settings like pub gatherings, where locals shared songs amid the backdrop of emerging sectarian divides.^[8][9][3]

University studies and early professions

Barry Devlin studied English literature at University College Dublin (UCD), earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1968 and a Master of Arts in 1969. During this period, he also trained to become a Columban priest at St. Columban's College (Dalgan Park) in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, where he spent approximately four years studying philosophy and theology as part of the preparation for missionary work; he was one of six students selected from the seminary to study at UCD.^[9][10] He was drawn to the academic rigor of the seminary but ultimately experienced a crisis of faith, leading him to leave before ordination in the early 1970s.^[11] This decision marked a pivotal shift away from religious vocation toward secular education and creative pursuits. After leaving the seminary, Devlin transitioned into the professional world of advertising and visual arts in Dublin, joining Ark Advertising in 1970 as a copywriter.^[12] In this role, he crafted scripts and promotional content for clients, honing skills in concise narrative and visual communication within a creative agency environment that emphasized graphic design and media production. While working at Ark, Devlin also dabbled in music as a personal interest, occasionally playing bass and experimenting with songwriting alongside colleagues, though these activities remained secondary to his day job at the time.^[13][14]

Musical career

Role in Horslips

Barry Devlin co-founded the Irish band Horslips in Dublin in 1970, initially as a fictional group for a Harp Lager television advertisement, which evolved into a real ensemble blending rock music with Irish traditional elements.^[15][16] As the band's bassist, lead vocalist, and frontman, Devlin played a central role in shaping its sound and stage presence from the outset, contributing to the group's emergence as pioneers of the Celtic rock genre.^[17][13] During Horslips' active years from 1972 to 1980, Devlin was instrumental in the band's songwriting and performances, with key albums including the debut Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part (1972), the concept album The Táin (1973)—inspired by the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge—and Dancehall Sweethearts (1974), which showcased a mix of folk-infused rock tracks.^[15][16] He received songwriting credits for notable tracks such as "Trouble (with a Capital T)" from the 1976 album The Book of Invasions: A Celtic Symphony, a song that became a live staple and highlighted the band's satirical edge on social issues.^[17][13] The group toured extensively across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America, performing over 2,000 concerts and gaining a devoted following through energetic live shows that fused traditional Irish instruments like the fiddle and uilleann pipes with electric rock instrumentation.^[15][13] Horslips, under Devlin's influence, played a pivotal role in pioneering Celtic rock, revitalizing Irish cultural identity amid the socio-political tensions of the 1970s, including the Troubles in Northern Ireland, by making traditional music accessible and exciting to younger audiences.^[16][13] Devlin later reflected that the band "changed for ever how people felt about their own culture," energizing a sense of national pride through their innovative fusion.^[13] The band's initial run concluded with its breakup in 1980, driven by internal creative differences and external challenges such as the rise of punk rock, which shifted musical trends away from their style.^[15][17]

Solo album and U2 collaborations

Following the breakup of Horslips in 1980, Barry Devlin pursued independent musical projects, beginning with the production of early demo recordings for the emerging Irish rock band U2. In November 1978, while Horslips were still active, Devlin produced a session for U2 at Keystone Studios in Dublin, capturing raw versions of songs such as "Street Mission," "The Fool," and "Shadows and Tall Trees," which helped shape the band's initial sound during their formative years.^[18][17] Devlin's primary solo endeavor came in 1983 with the release of Breaking Star Codes, a concept album issued on the Starcode imprint through RTÉ Records as a vinyl LP (catalog BDLP 1 / RTÉ 79) and cassette (RTEC 79). The album comprises 12 tracks, each loosely inspired by one of the zodiac signs, exploring themes of fate, personality, and cosmic relationships in a soft rock style with Celtic undertones. Production was handled by Devlin himself at Lombard Studios in Dublin, with engineering by Brian Masterson; it featured contributions from former Horslips keyboardist Jim Lockhart on flute, whistle, and string arrangements, alongside musicians including bassist Steve Travers (on four tracks), drummer Liam Genockey (on four tracks), guitarist Greg Boland, and composer Roger Doyle on keyboards. The distinctive cover artwork was designed by renowned illustrator Roger Dean, known for his work with progressive rock acts like Yes. The tracklist is as follows:

• Twins (Gemini)
• Who Can Tame The Lion? (Leo)
• It's The Cruellest Sign (Virgo)
• Remember You're A Winner (Aries)
• When Two Stars Collide (Sagittarius)
• Just Another Line (Pisces)
• Let The Scales Decide (Libra)
• December 21 (Capricorn)
• The Stars Said (Taurus)
• Remember A Star (Cancer)
• Aquarian Girls (Aquarius)
• Love With A Sting In Its Tail (Scorpio)

To promote the album, RTÉ produced a television special titled The Star Codes Project in 1983, which aired in March 1984 and provided a visual interpretation of its zodiac-themed narrative.^[17][19][20] As U2 rose to international prominence in the 1980s, Devlin expanded his involvement with the band into directing and producing music videos and promotional content. He helmed the Slane Castle version of "Pride (In the Name of Love)" in 1984, filmed during sessions for The Unforgettable Fire at the Irish estate, capturing the band's raw energy amid their growing fame. Other key works include directing videos for "A Sort of Homecoming" and "Bad" from the same album, as well as the 1987 Las Vegas-shot video for "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" from The Joshua Tree, which depicted the band interacting with street performers in a gritty urban setting. Additionally, Devlin directed the 1985 documentary The Making of The Unforgettable Fire and footage for the band's homecoming concerts, contributing to U2's visual identity during their breakthrough era. These projects marked Devlin's shift toward multimedia production in Ireland's burgeoning rock scene.^[21][22][23] Transitioning from Horslips' collective success to solo efforts proved challenging for Devlin in the 1980s Irish music landscape, where punk and new wave dominated and resources for independent releases were scarce. Breaking Star Codes achieved modest charting in Ireland but saw limited commercial distribution and sales, remaining out of print on CD until its inclusion in the 2023 Horslips box set More Than You Can Chew; Devlin has described the zodiac concept as somewhat tenuous, reflecting the difficulties of crafting a cohesive solo vision without the band's collaborative structure. This one-off album underscored the hurdles of sustaining momentum as a solo artist amid shifting industry dynamics, prompting Devlin to diversify into film and television production.^[17][20][24]

Band reunions and later performances

Horslips' first reunion period began in 2004, sparked by an exhibition of the band's memorabilia organized by fans in Derry, Northern Ireland, where all five original members, including bassist and vocalist Barry Devlin, performed an acoustic set at the launch event on March 20.^[25] This gathering led to the release of the acoustic album Roll Back on November 26, 2004, featuring reinterpreted versions of tracks from their original catalog, which sold over 30,000 copies in Ireland and marked a nostalgic return to their Celtic rock roots.^[26] The band followed with their first electric performance since 1980 at the Other Voices festival in Dingle in 2005, and recorded a special session for the Irish-language broadcaster TG4 in 2006, aired the following year; these events, along with exhibitions touring to Drogheda and Belfast, sustained sporadic activity through 2006 without a full-scale tour.^[25][27] The second reunion phase, from 2009 to 2019, saw more structured live engagements, starting with major concerts at Belfast's Odyssey Arena and Dublin's O2 venue in late 2009, drawing thousands and reigniting fan interest.^[25] Devlin, alongside bandmates Jim Lockhart and Johnny Fean, led performances across Ireland and Europe, including at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival in 2011 and England's Fairport's Cropredy Convention that same year, blending traditional Irish elements with rock energy.^[25][28] Highlights included a St. Patrick's Day show with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast in 2011, captured on the live album Live with the Ulster Orchestra, and appearances at events like the Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival in 2012.^[25] BBC archives played a key role in this era, with radio and TV features documenting their history, culminating in the 2025 release of the box set Horslips at the BBC, compiling rare live recordings, footage, and interviews from the period.^[29] Recognition came via the Northern Ireland Music Prize, where Devlin received the Legend Award in 2022 for his contributions, with Horslips performing at the ceremony to honor their enduring impact.^[30][31] Into 2024 and 2025, Devlin continued participating in throwback events, such as fan-led Horslips Conventions in Belfast and Culdaff, featuring acoustic sets and discussions on the band's influence, alongside a re-release of the 2005 RTÉ documentary Horslips: The Return of the Dancehall Sweethearts.^[25] A BBC Two special, Irish Music Icons: Horslips, aired on November 1, 2024, with Devlin and Lockhart reflecting on five decades of innovation in Celtic rock.^[32] Academic analyses, like a 2025 study in Popular Music History, examined the band's "extended family" of fans and their role in shaping Irish musical identity, quoting Devlin on parallels to modernist composers like Debussy.^[25] Guitarist Johnny Fean died on April 28, 2023, after which the band decided to retire from full performances due to logistical challenges and the loss of a key member.^[33] As an elder statesman, Devlin has positioned himself as a reflective voice on Celtic rock's legacy in interviews, emphasizing the genre's fusion of tradition and rock as a cultural bridge.^[34][35]

Writing and media career

Screenplays and television work

Devlin transitioned to screenwriting in the 1990s, drawing on his background in English literature from University College Dublin to craft narratives rooted in Irish cultural and social dynamics.^[5] His screenplay for the 1994 film A Man of No Importance, directed by Suri Krishnamma and starring Albert Finney as bus conductor Alfie Byrne, explores themes of Irish identity, the transformative power of theater, and personal repression within a conservative Catholic community in 1960s Dublin.^[36] The story centers on Alfie's amateur theater troupe attempting to stage Oscar Wilde's Salome, highlighting tensions between artistic expression and societal norms, including Alfie's closeted homosexuality and the discord it provokes among locals.^[36][37] In television, Devlin contributed scripts to the ITV series Ballykissangel during the late 1990s, writing episodes such as season 3's "When a Child Is Born" (1998) and season 4's "It's a Family Affair" (1998), which delve into rural Irish village life, family conflicts, and community faith amid personal crises.^[38][39] He also adapted H.E. Bates' novels for the ITV series The Darling Buds of May, penning two episodes in 1993 that capture the idyllic yet chaotic world of the Larkin family in Kent, emphasizing themes of freedom, romance, and evasion of authority.^[40][41] Devlin wrote and served as executive producer for the 2016 BBC One miniseries My Mother and Other Strangers, a five-part drama set in 1943 rural Northern Ireland during World War II, focusing on the Coyne family's interactions with American GIs stationed nearby and the resulting strains on local relationships and loyalties.^[42] The series, inspired by Devlin's own post-war upbringing in County Tyrone and family anecdotes from the era, portrays the complexities of love, duty, and cultural clashes in a neutral Ireland amid global conflict.^[3][43] In radio, Devlin created the BBC Radio 4 detective series Baldi, which debuted in 2000 and ran for five series until 2010, featuring Franciscan priest Paolo Baldi (voiced by David Threlfall) solving mysteries in Ireland with philosophical insight; Devlin wrote several episodes and contributed to directing elements of the productions in Belfast.^[44][45][46]

Graphic novels and awards

In the 2010s, Barry Devlin expanded his writing into graphic novels, co-authoring the Hound trilogy with artist Paul J. Bolger from 2014 to 2018. The series reimagines the ancient Irish legend of Cú Chulainn, known as the Hound of Ulster, from the Ulster Cycle of mythology. Set in 50 BCE amid a fragile peace in Ireland, the narrative follows the young Setanta, chosen by the goddess Morrigan to become a warrior, as he grapples with destiny, loyalty, and the clash between indigenous tribes and invading forces. Blending epic adventure with themes of fate and heroism, the trilogy—comprising Defender (2014), Protector (2015), and Liberator (2018)—draws on Celtic folklore to create a visually dynamic story funded initially through Kickstarter campaigns. In 2022, Dark Horse Comics published a collected hardcover edition compiling the full trilogy.^[47][48][49] Devlin's contributions to Hound earned critical acclaim for revitalizing Irish myths for contemporary readers, with the work praised for its integration of historical and supernatural elements. This recognition highlighted the series' role in elevating graphic storytelling within Irish literature.

Personal life

Marriage and immediate family

Barry Devlin married the journalist and broadcaster Caroline Erskine on 9 October 1982 at St Stephen's Green Church in Dublin.^[1] The couple first met following one of Devlin's performances, where Erskine was initially drawn to the band's flute player before developing a relationship with Devlin himself.^[11] Their marriage has endured for over four decades, marked by mutual professional respect, as Erskine built a prominent career in political journalism at RTÉ while supporting Devlin's shifts from music to screenwriting and media production.^[1][11] The couple has three children: sons Paul (born circa 1985), Jack (born circa 1987), and daughter Kate (born circa 1989).^[1] Erskine provided steadfast support during Devlin's challenging career transitions, particularly after the 1980 breakup of Horslips, when he faced a mid-life crisis; she has been described as the "rock on which the house was founded," helping to sustain their family amid his professional uncertainties.^[1] The family dynamics emphasized stability, with Erskine balancing her own demanding role at RTÉ while encouraging Devlin's creative endeavors in writing and film.^[1] Devlin and Erskine share a deep interest in the arts, music, and writing, reflected in their complementary careers—hers in journalism and broadcasting, his in musical composition and screenplays—which have fostered a collaborative household environment.^[1][11] Post-marriage, the family has resided primarily in Dalkey, County Dublin, enjoying a suburban coastal lifestyle that allows proximity to Dublin's cultural scene while providing a quieter setting for family life.^[50][7] Despite occasional absences due to Devlin's touring commitments in his musical career, the family maintained close bonds, with the children growing up in a home enriched by their parents' artistic influences.^[1]

Siblings and extended relatives

Barry Devlin grew up as the only boy among six sisters in a family of seven from rural Tyrone. Two of his sisters have notably contributed to literary and cultural spheres.^[51] His sister Marie Devlin married the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney on August 5, 1965, in a union that endured until Heaney's death on August 30, 2013.^[52][53] This familial bond brought Heaney into the Devlin household during Barry's adolescence; at age 11, Devlin recalled attempting to "chase him off the property" upon his sister's introduction of the future poet as her boyfriend.^[11] Heaney's presence fostered literary discussions and influences within the family, paralleling Barry Devlin's own pursuits in music and writing.^[51] Another sister, Polly Devlin (born 1944), is an acclaimed Northern Irish writer, journalist, broadcaster, and academic who was awarded an OBE in 1994 for services to literature.^[54] Her key works include the memoir All of Us There (1975), which recounts her childhood in rural Tyrone; The Far Side of the Lough (1983), a collection of essays; and Writing Home (2018), a selection of her journalism and reflections.^[55] Starting her career at age 21 as a feature writer for Vogue magazine after winning a talent competition, she later worked in New York under editor Diana Vreeland and contributed to publications like The Big Issue.^[56] Polly Devlin also served as an adjunct professor of creative non-fiction at Barnard College, Columbia University, until her retirement.^[57][58] The Devlin siblings' endeavors reflect a broader family legacy in Irish arts, with Polly's literary output and Marie's connection to Heaney complementing Barry Devlin's creative path in music, screenwriting, and graphic novels, all stemming from their shared Tyrone roots.^[51] Family interactions, such as shared recollections of Heaney's visits and collaborative literary inspirations, underscore these interconnected ties in the cultural landscape.^[59][11]