The traditional folk songs and ballads of Ireland were preserved by the '50s recordings of
Margaret Barry. Accompanying her powerful but untrained vocals with rustic banjo picking,
Barry was a musical influence for such trad-rock groups as
Fairport Convention,
Pentangle, and
Steeleye Span. Her recording of "I Sang Through the Fair," inspired numerous interpretations and transformed the song into a classic of Celtic music. Starting her career as a street busker in Dublin,
Barry attracted international attention when she was recorded in 1953 by folklorist
Alan Lomax. She subsequently moved to London where she worked for
Lomax as a housekeeper and cook. For many years,
Barry was accompanied by
Michael Gorman, a folk musician she had met while performing on a BBC television program of traditional music hosted by
Lomax in 1953. In addition to her repertoire of Irish songs,
Barry performed many English art songs and ballads. ~ Craig Harris