Delia Murphy

Programme 5
In the fifth programme of the series, Fil remembers the remarkable DELIA MURPHY who was the catalyst for the Songbirds series and the first Irish female folk singer of note.

The special musical guests are singer/songwriter Tommy Sands and Dubliners fiddle player John Sheahan with whom Fil performs "What Would You Do Love?" and "Johnny The Daisy O!"

Delia Murphy (1902 - 1971) was born and raised in Hollymount near Claremorris in Co. Mayo, and made her first recordings in 1938 - The Spinning Wheel and 3 Lovely Lasses from Bannion coming from the earliest batch. She became Ireland's first and arguably greatest musical ambassador and her contribution to the folk revival of the 50s and 60s was immeasurable. Her simple ballad style and endearing presentation on stage made her an almost overnight success on radio. Married to diplomat Tom Kiernan, Delia travelled the world, finally settling in Canada, only returning to live in Ireland in 1969.

Aidan O'Hara's biography of Delia Murphy, "I'll Live Till I Die", is still available from Drumlin Publications