Her parents came from a fishing background on the Isle of Aran, but later emigrated to Boston. Barbara was one of ten children.
Best known for her role as the housekeeper Janet in the BBC series "Dr. Finlay's Casebook".
Made her stage debut as a dancer at the age of three. As a teenager, sang and danced in theatres across the United States. Returned to England in 1934 to study at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.