Category Archives: Flute Players

Doyle flute features at All Ireland Fleadh

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Molly PittendrighWhilst nothing at all can be taken from the effort that musicians put into performing in Fleadh Cheoil competitions, from a instrument maker’s point of view, there are sometimes moments of pride when they hear that their instruments are in the hands of the musicians that win or place. Kudos to the instrument players and kudos to the instrument makers!

This year a Martin Doyle flute was played by Molly Pittendrigh (above right) of County Mayo who won first place in the ’15-18 flute’ and third place in the ’15-18 flute slow air’ competitions at the 2022 Fleadh Cheoil at Mullingar in County Westmeath. Congratulations and well done Molly!

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A short video clip of Molly playing her Martin Doyle flute can be seen here:
Molly Pittendrigh – Video Clips | Martin Doyle Flutes »

Leonora Lyne Playing A B Flute

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Leonora Lyne playing a Martin Doyle B flute

We have just posted a video and two audio samples of Irish flute player Leonora Lyne playing a Martin Doyle B flute. Martin does not construct B flutes very often – Leonora’s was only the second one – but they are completely of his own design and have great tone. Enjoy the music (links below) and many thanks to Leonora for sending the samples.

New Testimonial

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Just added to Martin Doyle’s website, a very nice testimonial from flute player Eamonn Keane of Balla in the County Mayo.

Hi Martin,
You may remember that I travelled from Mayo just as the virus and lockdown were happening, and bought one of your two piece flutes. Meant to contact earlier and say thanks. It’s a delightful instrument – so much easier to play on than the other instrument I had.
Kind regards,
Eamonn.

To view more kind comments from flute players from Ireland and all over the world, kindly visit Martin Doyle’s testimonials page »

Michael Kenneally Video Clip

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Just added to Martin Doyle’s website, a video recently created by Irish traditional musician Michael Kenneally. Michael is playing ‘The Emigrant’s Farewell’ on a Martin Doyle flute made from African Blackwood.

To see more musicians playing Martin Doyle flutes, kindly visit Martin Doyle’s Video Clips page »

Ellen O’Brien Plays A Reel

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In 2014 we featured Cavan flute player Ellen O’Brien after she had won the Ulster Flute Under 12 competition for dance tunes and slow airs playing a Martin Doyle Flute. Ellen then went on to win the All-Ireland competitions in her age group soon afterwards.

Four years later a video clip of Ellen playing the Tom Ennis reel The Morning Thrush was posted on Youtube. At the time Ellen was doing a work experience stint at the Celt Centre prior to the June 2018 County Fleadh Cheoil in Kilnaleck, County Cavan. Ellen is playing a keyed Martin Doyle Flute made of African Blackwood.

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Conan Whitley Wins Slow Air Competition

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Martin Doyle has just received some happy news from a young flute player who has been competing at this years Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All Ireland Festival of Music) in Drogheda, County Louth. Conan Whitley sent Martin a message to say that he had just won the Under 18 Slow Air Flute Competition at the fleadh and he sent a photo of himself with the first place trophy in one hand and his Martin Doyle flute in the other.

Conan Whitley

Conan Whitley holding the Under 18 Slow Air Flute Competition first place trophy and his Martin Doyle flute.

The All Ireland competitions are loaded with talented young musicians, the best of the best one could say, and to win first place in any category requires great effort, focus and dedication. Our heartiest congratulations go to Conan and his family!

Eimear McGeown’s Debut Album: Inis

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Falling into the category of “better late than never”, Martin Doyle Flutes is proud to announce that our very good friend Eimear McGowen has recently (April 8, 2018) released her debut album entitled Inis – a lovely compact disc packed with stunning flute playing!

Eimear McGeown’s debut album: Inis

Eimear McGeown’s debut album: ‘Inis’

And, not that we wish to steal any of the thunder, we are very proud to have a small but important presence in the totally epic artwork for the Inis album cover – yes, that’s a Martin Doyle flute that Eimear is holding in her hand! But enough about us …

Inis offers tunes that span a broad range of genre – this is an album that has something for everyone. The online music store CD Baby describes Eimear’s debut album as a “Genre breaking flute album, mixing Irish traditonal, classical, pop and original compositions with filmic arrangements.” Inis features a lovely selection of traditional Irish tunes mixed with such classics as Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘The Sound of Silence’, Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’, Erik Satie’s ‘Gnossiennes, No. 1’, Eimear’s own variations of a 17th century melody entitled ‘La Folia’ and her first ever composition that lends it’s title to the album. In Eimear’s own words:

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