Gerald Barry (born April 28, 1952) is an Irish composer.

Born in Clarecastle, County Clare, Republic of Ireland, he studied with Karlheinz Stockhausen and Mauricio Kagel. His music is notable for its inherent use of real thematic development. Although , paradoxically, Barry's music shifts betweeen blocks of thematic material, often without any reason or preparation. There is an element of humour in his music, using titles such as '____' and 'Bob', ending in unexpected places and shifting from avant-garde styles to rhythms reminiscent of Irish folk music. His operatic style seems to be modelled on that of G.F. _Handel and his theatrical gestures often embrace sexual and erotic themes in grotesque or bombastic ways. Quite often the structure of Gerald Barry's music happens at a medium-high level, such that long streams of similar durations and dynamics switch suddenly to a different type as though 'changing gear', with the pathos being in the contrast and in the micro-resemblances of harmonic/melodic material across the boundaries of these contrasting regions. Like Handel and Mozart he often conceives of material independently of its instrumental medium, recycling ideas from piece to piece as in the reworking of "Triorchic Blues" from a violin to piano piece. He is a particular specialist in writing for the bass voice; see "The Conquest of Ireland' and 'Beethoven' - his latest work setting some of the letters of Beethoven to his 'Immortal beloved'. Barry's word-settings are particular and could be described as somewhat revolutionary in gesture.

His works include:

Gerald Barry, born December 18, 1896 in London and died February 21, 1977 at Great Witchingham, Norfolk, was a career officer in the British Army who played in one first-class cricket match for the Combined Services against Essex.

In the match, played at Leyton in May 1922, Barry batted at No 10 in the Services team's two innings and scored only two runs, and opened the bowling in each Essex innings without taking a wicket. He did not play first-class cricket again.

Barry was educated at Eton College, from which he joined the Coldstream Guards in the First World War. He was awarded the Military Cross. He later rose to the tank of lieutenant-colonel in the Black Watch. During the Second World War, his postings included deputy military secretary of the Eastern Army in India.

Barry married Lady Margaret Pleydell-Bouverie, daughter of Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 6th Earl of Radnor in 1923. They had five daughters and one son. His brother-in-law was Nigel Capel-Cure, who also played one first-class cricket match.