Irish author Barry has expressed a deep and complex interest in both Irish and American history, articulating how these two narratives are intertwined through his personal experiences and cultural heritage. Speaking about his fascination with America, Barry noted that, for many Irish people, the United States represents a kind of “secret passport,” reflecting the profound cultural and historical connections shaped by immigration and popular culture. He points to the contradictions in America's past, especially in the mid-19th century, when the country shifted from welcoming immigrants, including Catholics, to imposing exclusionary policies amid rising nativism.

Barry’s forthcoming work, *The Newer World*, set for release in September, explores themes of American identity, trauma, and revenge, drawing parallels to Ireland’s own history of hardship. He emphasizes that Ireland’s traumatic experience under British rule, particularly the Great Famine, left deep psychological scars on the nation. The famine, which caused the death of a million people and the forced emigration of two million more, was marked by widespread suffering ignored by the privileged classes and clergy of the time, resulting in a collective trauma that remains inadequately addressed.

Reflecting on Ireland’s rapid social and economic transformations in the 20th century, Barry described the pace of change—from revolutionary upheavals and participation in global conflicts to the economic boom of the 1970s—as disorienting, making it difficult for people to find a sense of stability or identity amid the upheaval. He also voiced his disdain for simplified Irish stereotypes, such as those celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day, especially in the United States, arguing that Ireland’s real cultural and historical richness far surpasses such caricatures.

Barry remains intrigued by Ireland’s outsized literary tradition for a country with a population of just 5.4 million, likening it humorously to “Iowa with an incredible literary tradition.” Despite personal challenges, including periods of illness and recent therapy, Barry credits physical activity and his family life, including five standard poodles and two miniature Jack Russell terriers, with maintaining his well-being.

He described language as a central and almost tangible element of his life, one he ‘sees’ and ‘hears’ during the writing process, underscoring the importance of storytelling in his identity and creative work. Barry also discussed his admiration for literary figures such as James Joyce and director John Huston, recalling anecdotes from the production of Huston’s film adaptation of Joyce’s short story, *The Dead*.

Barry’s reflections portray a writer deeply engaged with questions of history, identity, and memory, navigating the complexities of Irish and American legacies while contributing to a more nuanced cultural conversation through his forthcoming publication.