I think that the subject of this interview requires no introduction. Keith Barry, probably the most well known performer of magic in Ireland today has kindly agreed to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Keith has been a major inspiration for so many young Irish magicians, including myself.

Hi Keith, first off, thanks for taking the time to answer these for us. What have you got coming up? Any new TV specials or new tours?

I’m currently on tour at the moment – having great fun. it’s called ‘Keith Barry, Direct from Vegas’ and is the same show which I performed there in Nov last year. This Fri and Sat I’m in Tipperary, all other dates can be found on Keithbarry.com

What advice would you give to any aspiring young magician?

Read as many books as you can and perform for as many people as possible. Also perform as many different varieties of magic as you can – stage, kids, close-up, platform, etc – it will help you become a more rounded performer. Too many young magicians concentrate just on close-up these days – by doing other styles of magic they will become better entertainers.

What magicians have inspired your career the most? Why?

In the beginning Paul Daniels, David Copperfield and Lance Burton were the ones who really inspired me. I watched all of their specials religiously over and over again. In later years it would have to be the great Doc Shiels and Billy McComb. Doc for his insight into mentalism and all things bizarre, and Billy for his insight into being a professional entertainer.

What commercially available effects (books dvds or single effects) do you rate most highly?

I’m a big fan of Sankeys material – especially paperclipped – it never fails to fry an audience. Branded by Tim Trono is also excellent.

How do you think the level of exposure in magic today (youtube, files sharing etc) is affecting magic?

Magic is more accessible now than ever before. I don’t think it will hurt magic at all because it’s really only budding magicians who bother to search youtube for the methodology to a trick. Most humans will never go to the bother of trying to find out how a trick is done. Blatant exposure however is not good for magic.

How important do you feel membership of an orginization (IBM, Magic Circle etc) is to the career of a magician?

It really depends on what your expectations are. I can only speak from personal experience. I remember fondly the days when I was a member of the Munster Society – I would travel from Galway with Pat Meaney to many of the meetings and lectures. John Bowden and Pat Meaney were very helpful and took me under their wing. I was also a member of the SIM – Pat Fallon was very helpful to me in those days. I enjoyed being a member of the SIM for quite a few years but then I started travelling abroad for 6-8 months a year so I wasn’t really an active member any more. I did go the odd time when i was back but I found the dynamics had changed and to be quite honest found the whole thing very negative. Even just 3 days ago a member told me of some of the ‘Keith barry bitching’ that goes on – this is one of many occasions i have heard of this. It’s unfortunate but I no longer have any interest in any of the societies – too much negativity and back biting by people who I thought were friends and should know better. I’d rather be at home working or spending time with my family than get involved in that stuff. Enough said.

You recently launched your €10,000 psychic challenge. Has anyone been stupid enough to respond? Do you feel that Irish ‘Psychics’ are in general shut-eye (deluded enough to actually think they are psychic) or open-eye (deliberately lying about it for fun and profit).

No-one has taken up the challenge. I believe we have a mixture of both open and shut eye ‘psychics’ here in Ireland. I think it’s very dangerous for vulnerable people to live their lives by what these so-called psychic advisors tell them. Look at the following Popoff had until Randi exposed him – it really was frightening. I will do my best to educate people on the art of the psychic but at the end of the day most believers will still believe no matter how much information you give them!!!!