Julia Clifford facts for kids

Julia Clifford (born June 19, 1914 – died June 18, 1997) was a famous fiddle player and a very important Irish traditional musician. She was known for her unique style of playing.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Julia Murphy was born in a place called Lisheen, near Gneeveguilla in County Kerry, Ireland. This area is part of a region known as Sliabh Luachra, which is famous for its traditional music.

Her father, Bill, was also a musician. He played the flute, fife, and fiddle. He even had his own fife and drum band!

Julia and her brother, Denis Murphy, both learned to play the fiddle. Their teacher was a well-known traveling fiddler named Padraig O'Keeffe. He taught many musicians in the Sliabh Luachra area.

The Sliabh Luachra Style

Julia, her brother Denis, Padraig O'Keeffe, and other musicians from Sliabh Luachra had a big impact on Irish traditional music. Their special way of playing is now called the Sliabh Luachra style. This style is known for its lively polkas and slides.

Moving to London and Musical Career

In the late 1930s, Julia moved away from Ireland. She first went to Scotland and then to London, England. In 1941, she married John Clifford, who was an accordion player from Kerry, just like her. They had two sons, John and Billy.

During the 1940s, Julia and John played music together in Irish dance halls across London. They helped keep Irish music alive for people living far from home.

Return to Ireland and Radio Fame

In the 1950s, Julia and her family moved back to Ireland for a while. They lived in Newcastle West in County Limerick. During this time, they performed with a group called the Star of Munster Ceili Band. They even made recordings for the radio!

Growing Popularity in the 1960s and 70s

When Julia returned to London, her music became even more popular. This was thanks to the "folk boom" of the 1960s, when many people became interested in traditional music.

In 1968, a record company called Claddagh recorded an album of Kerry music with Julia and her brother Denis. It was called The Star Above the Garter.

Later, in 1977, another record company, Topic, released an older recording. This album, called Kerry Fiddles (Music from Sliabh Luachra), featured Julia, her brother Denis, and their teacher Padraig O'Keeffe. After this, two more albums came out, showing Julia's music from different times, often with her husband John and her son Billy, who played the flute.

Later Years and Legacy

It took some time for the music of Sliabh Luachra, especially its lively polkas and slides, to become widely known. But for Julia Clifford, this wider appreciation came later in her life.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Julia's reputation grew even more. She was invited to play at folk clubs and festivals. She also performed during trips back to Ireland and appeared on TV. She even visited America!

Many young musicians wanted to learn tunes and styles from Julia's amazing Kerry music collection. She was always very kind and encouraging to them. Her husband John passed away in 1981.

Julia Clifford died on June 18, 1997, just one day before her 84th birthday. She is buried in Norfolk, England. Her music continues to inspire fiddlers and fans of Irish traditional music around the world.