Whilst at university at Durham in the NE I ran into folkie students of education and was exposed to Barry and others. It just so happened that these same folks visited the usa via greyhound bus the next summer. Lo and behold we went to the smithsonian folklife festival on the mall and walking along side of us was margaret barry.
I really like her version of the Galway Shawl. So nice when it is sung as a ballad with a strong voice. As it should be played if no one is dancing.
In regard to voice- not just the bigness but the style too. Barry had a big voice but still the arabesque of the gypsey celtic style. Brannigan however was much more formal in presentation- one sees a formal suit polished shoes and grand piano.....
Brannigan however does do wonders with the dialect. His is the best rendition of When the Boat comes in- Dance to your Mammy/daddy. His pronunciation of "bloater" is fantastic.