Reading My Way Around the World

Monday 27 October 2014

Songbirds: Margaret Barry


Street singer Margaret Barry on stage in America

In 2005 we were very grateful that RTE (Irish National Television) took our 6 part TV series Songbirds the First Ladies of Irish Song and broadcast it. (A synopsis is available here.)

I narrated and co-produced, Tom edited and co-produced and a friend, Jimmy Hayden directed.   It was our first time attempting a TV documentary and it was an amazing experience.  Last year a small satellite station also showed the series in the UK - only viewers with Sky TV could see it though.

So I wanted to share it with everyone now - the first episode is available free through You Tube and is also on my website.


This is the first episode featuring Margaret Barry.   She was a street singer who became a big part of the British Folk Revival in the 1960s, is honoured in the Smithsonian FolkLife Museum and played concerts with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.   Not the prettiest of singers, but she was an incredibly well loved character who was a wonderfully interesting subject to research and to document.





The next 5 episodes will come online in the coming weeks and I'll give you a notice of it here on my blog as they come up.

Margaret Barry at home in Laurencetown mid 70s
I hope you get a chance to watch - it'd be great to hear your comments.

This blog is Day 16 of Sarah Allen's 30 day blog challenge


8 comments:

  1. Margaret Barry looks a real character - love her story about the bottles of Guinness in the carrier bag. Great series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was great Sam. I wish I had met her. Thanks for coming by.

      Delete
  2. As you say, not pretty, but then you don't have to be pretty to have a voice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very true - and she was the loveliest character.

      Delete
  3. I will watch this series when I put some 'quality time' by for doing nothing at my computer Fil! Sounds like an interesting one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great programme Fil I am looking forward to seeing more, I love this Irish folk music

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rosanne. The next one will be up on Monday

      Delete

Do drop me a line ... I love to read your comments :)