Margaret Barry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Barry
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| Birth name | Margaret Cleary |
| Born | 1 January 1917 Cork, Ireland |
| Origin | County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 1989 (aged 71–72) Lawrencetown, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Irish traditional music, Sean-nós |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Banjo |
| Associated acts | Michael Gorman |
Margaret Barry (1917–1989) was a famous Irish Traveller, traditional singer, and banjo player. She was known for her unique voice and playing style. Margaret inspired many musicians in Ireland and the UK. She even performed in famous places like Carnegie Hall in New York!
Contents
About Margaret Barry
Early Life and Music
Margaret Cleary was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1917. Her family were Travellers and street singers. From a young age, Margaret taught herself to play music. She learned the zither banjo and the fiddle.
When she was sixteen, Margaret left home. She began performing as a street musician. This was how she started her amazing music career.
Rise to Fame
In the early 1950s, Margaret moved to London. She was invited to appear on a TV show called The Songhunter. This show was produced by David Attenborough. Margaret became very well-known on the London folk music scene.
She had a special singing style and played the banjo in her own way. Often, she performed with fiddler Michael Gorman. Her music greatly influenced younger singers. One famous singer she inspired was Luke Kelly. Margaret's talent took her to big stages. She performed at Carnegie Hall and the Rockefeller Centre in New York.
Famous Songs and Tributes
One of Margaret Barry's most noted songs is "She Moved Through the Fair". When asked how she learned it, she said she heard it on a record. It was a record by the famous singer Count John McCormack.
Her album Her Mantle So Green is considered a classic. The song "The Factory Girl" from Street Songs and Fiddle Tunes of Ireland is also very popular.
Margaret's life and music have inspired many artists. A play about her, She Moved Through the Fair: The legend of Margaret Barry, first showed in 2017. Poet Frank Callery and singer Tim O'Riordan also wrote songs about her.
In 2019, Margaret Barry was honored. She was added to the Hall of Fame at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. This was a special moment for her legacy.
Margaret Barry's Music Albums
Here are some of the albums Margaret Barry released:
- Songs of an Irish Tinker Lady (1956)
- Street Songs and Fiddle Tunes (1957) – with Michael Gorman
- Ireland’s Queen Of The Tinkers Sings (1960)
- The Blarney Stone (1961) – with Michael Gorman
- Songs From the Hills of Donegal (1962)
- Irish Music In London Pubs (1965) – with Michael Gorman
- Her Mantle So Green (1965) – with Michael Gorman
- Come Back Paddy Reilly (1968)
- Sing and Play (1975)
- Ireland's Own (1976)
- I Sang Through The Fairs (1998)
- Travellin' People from Ireland (2001) – with Pecker Dunne
- Queen of the Gypsies (2007)
- The Definitive Collection (Songs of The Travelling People) (2013)
See also
