Martin Hayes was born in Maghera (between Feakle and Tulla) in East County Clare, Ireland, and now lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. I consider Martin to be the best fiddle player of his generation, taking Irish music to 'new places'. His playing is full of passion and to see him play in concert with his long time musical partner Dennis Cahill is a truly memorable and uplifting experience. Martin still regularly playes in East Clare whenever his busy schedule allows him to get 'home'. If you visit East Clare for the music why not stay with us here at Clondanagh Cottage.

Martin Hayes and Mark Donnellan playing in Peppers Bar, Feakle 2009

Martin Hayes has been the All Ireland Fiddle Champion several times and has won a National Entertainment Award, and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2000 award for Instrumentalist of the Year. Martin has recorded five albums (although the first was a only released as a cassette).

	The first recording I know of Martin Hayes on the Gael Linn Compilation recorded in 1978.
	A young Martin Hayes (second left) on the Gael Linn album (1979) An Fhidil, Straith 1- Gael Linn CEF 068
	Left: The webmaster's rare copy of the original cassette release featuring Martin Hayes and his father P. Joe Hayes. It took me quite a few years to find a copy!

The Shores of Lough Graney with his father P.J. Hayes and Mark Gregory is considered his debut album (recorded with Randall Bays on guitar and Jim Chapman on the piano). This was only available on cassette and I believe that only 500 copies were made.

Under the Moon (Steve Cooney on guitar - P.J. Hayes on fiddle - Randal Bays on guitar and fiddle - John Williams on concertina and accordion) and three (The Lonesome Touch, Live in Seattle and Welcome Here Again) with his longtime guitarist, Dennis Cahill.

Martin still play with The Tulla Céilí Band, of whom his late father was an early member. Martin is the musical director of the Masters of Tradition festival, which is held since 2003 in Bantry House (Bantry, Co. Cork) every summer.

Discography

Martin appeared on two early Gael Linn Vinyl albums and an own label cassette with his father

1978 Slogadh Naisiunta Champions - CEFS 066 Gaell Linn

1979 An Fhidil, Straith 1- Gael Linn CEF 068 (with Seamus Glackin, Maurice Lennon
& Sean Montgomery)

The Shores of Lough Graney (1990, with PJ Hayes and Mark Gregory) only released as an Ice Nine cassette.

Martin Hayes albums
Martin Hayes (1992, Green Linnet #1127)
Under the Moon (1995, Green Linnet #1155)

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill albums
Lonesome Touch (1997, Green Linnet #1127)
Live in Seattle (1999, Green Linnet #1195)
Welcome Here Again (2008, Green Linnet #1233)

Martin Hayes as a member of the Tulla Céilí Band
A Celebration of 50 Years (1996, Green Linnet)
60th Anniversary Celebration (2007)

Martin Hayes also appears on
My Love is in America The Boston College Fiddle Festival (1991, Green Linnet Records #1110)
Traditional Music from East Clare by Mary MacNamara (1994, Claddagh Records)
John Williams by John Williams (1995, Green Linnet #1157)
The Gathering Various Artists (1997, Real World UKCDRW62)
Celtic Sessions by William Coulter and Friends (1997, Gourd Music)
Solo Fiddle by Kevin Burke (1999, Green Linnet #1196)
Poor Man's Troubles by Bruce Molsky (2000, Rounder)
I Could Read the Sky by Iarla Ó Lionáird (2000, Real World Records)
Murphy's Irish Pub with Laura MacKenzie, John Williams and Dean Magraw (2005, Compass)
The Wildlife Album (2005 Market Square Records Cat No. MSMCD134)
The House I Was Reared In by Christy McNamara (2007, Durra Records)
Reeling Through The Years (2007) compilation CD celebrating 20 years of the Feakle Festival
Today, Tomorrow & on Sunday (2008) by Helen Hayes (CDHHG 001)
The Humours of Tulla (2009) by The Tulla Comhaltas Archive Collection
Kitty Hates Remembered (2009) (GL0001)
Triur SA Draighean (2010) with Paedar O Riada and Caoimhin O Raghallaigh (POR010)
Virginia by The Birkin Tree (2010) Felmay Records, Italy (8161)