Brothers in farms
That time when the All Blacks’ Barrett family left life in New Zealand to live (and play GAA) in rural Meath
WHILE most of the country watched last night’s Rugby World Cup final with a twinge of regret, a Co. Meath village was rooting for three brothers with close links to their community, who lined out for the All Blacks.
The residents of Ballinacree were glued to the television as Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett walked out in front of 80,000 fans and tens of millions watching around the world.
Some would recall how, 20 years earlier, the three brothers would walk out – often barefoot – on to St Brigid’s Gaelic football pitch in Ballinacree, impressing locals with their natural flair and ability.
The three youngsters were plucked from the New Zealand summer and dropped in the heart of Gaelic football country in the winter of 1999.
And although they would only live in Ballinacree for 16 months, the farming Kiwi family left a legacy that still holds strong today, 24 years later. Local resident Michael Heery recalled: ‘They were a wonderful family. They integrated into the community very, very well for the period that they were here.’
Regarding their GAA skills, he added: ‘I supcountry pose Beauden would be the child who showed the most talent while they were here but, having said that, all of the family would have been involved and would have been encouraged by their parents to participate.’
Sport courses through the veins of the Barrett family. The siblings’ father Kevin played rugby with the Buccaneers in Athlone during the 2000-01 AIL season and also tried his hand at Gaelic football.
Their mother, Robyn, joined the local athletics club, winning crossraces for St Brigid’s AC. The dairy farmers from New Plymouth on New Zealand’s North Island never let the Irish weather put a damper on their sporting spirits. Family friend and neighbour Barney Tighe recalls meeting the Barretts for the first time just before Christmas in 1999.
Kevin was out in shorts milking his cows. It was -2C.
On their first day at St Fiach’s National School, Beauden, Scott and older brother Kane went one step further by arriving barefoot. ‘Everyone thought, “these poor New Zealand boys without shoes on,” but that’s what we do,’ Kevin told The42.ie in 2016.
‘They were sloshing around in the snow; it was quite funny.’
Gerry Farrell, who has taught at St Fiach’s since 2013, remembers fondly the visits that the stars of the mighty All Blacks have made since.
He told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘When Scott and his older brother Kane came back in 2018, there was big buzz.
‘Scott was a nice fella, a big lad, just a big massive unit.
‘Listen, I’m six foot and I can just remember looking up at this lad,’ Gerry said before breaking out into a laugh.
On another occasion, Kevin came back to visit the school to reminisce about where his children had been taught every day.
‘I just remember he came in with his iPad and he just started taking photos of the place and videos and walking around the classroom taking it all in.’
Like most people in Ballinacree, Gerry isn’t naturally ‘a massive rugby fan’, but he’s been drawn into the tournament in France.
And apart from the quarter final, where his allegiances were, naturally. with the unfortunately beaten Ireland team – he’s been cheering on the All Blacks, and the Barrett brothers, ever since.
For most of the friends and families who knew the Barrett family, their children will have long grown up and potentially moved on far away from Ballinacree – so why does their impact on the village remain so strong today?
Michael, who has lived in Ballinacree for more than half a century, says the explanation for that is really quite simple.
‘Their dedication to anything they did stood out for anyone to see.
‘In sport and in everything, they were part of the community, and it was brilliant.
‘As a small rural community, you need everyone on board, and they were brilliant in that respect.’
The Barretts headed home to New Zealand in 2001.
Beauden, now 32, has gone on to win the World Rugby Player of the Year Award twice, and picked up more than 120 caps. Scott, 29, has more than 60 while Jordie, 26, is just behind on 56 caps.
The Barrett brothers made history last night as the first trio of siblings to play in a Rugby World Cup final – but cruelly lost out.
‘These poor boys without shoes’
‘Their dedication stood out for all to see’