Afterschool, Barrett pursued higher education at Tralee IT, where he majestically delved into the realms of Film, TV, and Media. In tandem with his academic pursuits, he also honed his skills in Radio by working and training with the esteemed Kerry Radio.
As fate would have it, Barrett's star began to rise when he won the prestigious IFTA Rising Star Award at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards in Dublin for his remarkable debut feature, 'Pilgrim Hill'. This coveted award is a testament to his exceptional talent, as it has previously been bestowed upon esteemed individuals such as Michael Fassbender and Saoirse Ronan.
In the year 2012, at the tender age of 24, Barrett's debut feature film, 'Pilgrim Hill', premiered at the Galway International Film Festival in Ireland, garnering widespread critical acclaim. Critics hailed the film as a "masterful debut from a first-time filmmaker", with Barrett subsequently winning the Bingham Ray Best New Irish Talent Award at the festival. Furthermore, the film took home the Irish Times Best Film of the Festival award, and was personally selected by the renowned Tom Luddy to make its World Premiere at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. This honor was previously bestowed upon acclaimed filmmakers such as Alexander Payne.
Fast-forward to January 2014, Barrett embarked on his second feature film, 'Glassland', in Dublin, starring the talented Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and Toni Collette. 'Glassland' made its Irish premiere at the Galway International Film Festival in July 2014, where it won the Best Film award, receiving unanimous critical acclaim.
