Martin

Martin comes from a family of musicians and raconteurs of traditional stories from the town land of Carricknagavna just outside the village of Mullaghabane in South Armagh.

At an early age Martin was exposed to traditional Irish music through the singing of his mother Mary and also grandfather John Ned Quinn.

Martin took up the accordion in the early 1980's and has become regarded as one of its finest exponent's. He also composes music in the traditional idiom.

Martin began his professional career as a musician in 1994, to date he has toured with various bands including Lá Lugh and Dorsa, performing and teaching workshops at major festivals in France, Norway, Finland, Italy,Switzerland, Britain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Romania, Spain, Japan and the USA.

He has featured on TV and radio nationally and internationally and has contributed to Paul Bradley’s fine solo album "The Atlantic Roar" and has guested on Composer Josephine Keegan‘s double CD ‘Lifeswork’ contributing 2 tracks and also 2 tracks to Dundalk fiddler Gerry O’Connor’s CD ‘Journey Man’

In 2003, Martin along with Angelina Carberry released their self titled CD.

The CD received critical acclaim across the Traditional music world, being included in the top 10 list of Traditional recordings of that year compiled by renowned Music columnist Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo, one of America’s leading Irish newspapers.

In 2005 Martin contributed 2 tracks to Angelina’s solo album an Traidisiún Beo as well as producing the project.

In 2006 Martin was invited alongside Fiddler Gerry O’Connor and the redoubtable Cathal Mc Connell to take part in the Music Network tour of Ireland featuring the Music and Song of South Ulster.

Following on from that tour Martin recorded the CD 'Jig Away the Donkey' with Gerry O'Connor on fiddle and Fermanagh Singer and Concertina player Gabriel McArdle featuring the music and song of south Ulster. The CD was launched at the Larkin Hedge School in Dublin by President elect Michael D.Higgins.

Martin currently performs with the Band Oirialla alongside Gerry O’Connor on Fiddle, Nuala Kennedy Flute and songs and Breton Guitarist Gilles Le Bigot. Oirialla launched their first CD in 2012 at the Celtic Colours festival in Cape Breton Island.

Martin now runs his own business Lisheen Accordions and makes and restores and sells accordions.