Riocard Bairéad (aka Dici or Dick Buiread, Richard Barrett) (b.1735–40 – d. 1818/19 ), was an Irish poet and satirist best remembered for his songs Eoghan Coir,[1] a mock lament for a landlord's bailiff, and "Preab san Ól",[2] a drinking song which is said to sum up "his merry philosophy of life".
[5] Bairéad was born at Barrack near Ely Bay in Belmullet, with sources giving varying dates between 1735 and 1740, a descendant of the Norman Barretts.
[6] Bairéad was a member of the Society of United Irishmen and when in August 1798 1,100 French troops under General Humbert landed in Killala he "turned out" with other rebels.
According to local lore he served as pikeman with the French when they put to flight a much large force of loyalist militia in the so-called Races of Castlebar.
Well-wishers from the town of Belmullet shored up the cemetery wall to ensure another few years of existence for the poet's last resting place.