Margaret Barry (Songs of an Irish Tinker Lady on Riverside, and others).

Theodore Bikel's description of her: "She had an attack on the banjo like a flamenco guitarist, she was toothless, and she reeked of gin. She was beautiful!"

The story is told that an argument came up as to who was the most capacious drinker, Brendan Behan or Margaret Barry. Each had vociferous advocates. Finally, a drinking-bout was set up between the two. They sat across a table from each other and drank stout for stout. The report says that when they reached about thirty, Behan's eyes rolled back and he slid under the table.

It's also reported that afterward, Margaret Barry said, "'Twasn't really fair. I'm afraid I cheated a bit. I drank a tot o' the whiskey between pints–just to keep me spirits up!"

Don Firth