Musicians, including members of the Traveller community, have gathered to commemorate an Irish folk musician cited as an influence by singers like Bob Dylan and Luke Kelly of the Dubliners.

Margaret Barry was a singer and banjo player who was prominent on the international folk scene in the 1950s and 1960s.

She left home at 15 with just her banjo and a bicycle to follow her love of music.

It took her to some of the world’s biggest venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island where she played on the same bill as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.

While not born into a Traveller family, she later met a Traveller, embraced the life and promoted the culture.

Traditional Irish singer and banjoist Margaret Barry pictured on a poster from 1965

She eventually settled in the small Co Down village of Laurencetown where she was buried after her death in 1989.

At the weekend, family and friends gathered there to commemorate her contribution to Irish music and her work to promote Traveller culture.

Grandson Paddy Barry said they did not realise growing up what a big reputation she had but came to understand it.

“She was well respected for her singing style. It was more of a street singing style. She was unique in her own way of going and very hard to replicate,” he said.

Paddy Barry (L) and William Dundon (R) on the guitar and box in the hall

“She had a very strong voice, and she kept her Cork accent right up until she passed away.”

He said he loved to hear young singers, particularly women, choosing to sing the ballads his granny had helped make popular.

They told him Ms Barry had been a “big inspiration” for them, he said.

She was inducted into the RTÉ Folk Hall of Fame in 2019.

Mr Barry and his sister travelled to Dublin for the presentation which was made by folk legend Peggy Seeger.

Among those who travelled to Laurencetown for the weekend celebrations were members of the Meath Travellers’ Workshop.

Various memorabilia from Margaret Barry’s life

Traveller historian Ellen McDonagh said Margaret Barry was held in high regard by Travellers.

She said this is not just for her work in preserving the songs and stories of Ireland, but for always promoting the travelling community in a “really positive way”.

“Maggie was known the length and breadth of Ireland and America and everybody who knew her, knew of her connection to Irish Travellers.

“Wherever she went she promoted Travellers, us, our community in a really positive light,” Ms McDonagh said.

“She was a hero in a sense that she was so well known and she represented Travellers with such pride.”

She said Ms Barry had always acknowledged the role Irish Travellers had in keeping the music and heritage alive.

The family hopes to keep her musical contribution to the fore with an annual celebration.