Category Archives: Music

The Day We Went To Sligo

September 26 this year saw Martin Doyle attend the 20th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music where he had been invited to have a instrument makers stall and offer a workshop on Baroque flute making.

Martin Doyle's stall at the 20th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music, September 2015

Martin Doyle’s stall at the 20th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music, September 2015

Reflecting on the event, Martin commented that he had a wonderful time, met some lovely people and attended some excellent workshops and recitals.

Recital at the 20th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music

Members of the Collegium Marianum offer a recital at the 20th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music, September 2015

One of the people who really impressed Martin was the Czech flute player Jana Semerádová, whose Baroque flute master class and recitals Martin attended. The following is a video clip of Jana performing a concerto in G major for flute by the Italian Baroque composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini with members of the Collegium Marianum.

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Martin Doyle Flute Features In The Peacemakers

Premik Russell Tubbs

Premik Russell Tubbs

It is most probably a fact that most flute makers do not get to know much about what the flutes they have made get up to once they have left their workshops, but there can be moments of exception.

One such moment came Martin Doyle‘s way recently when he received a very encouraging and inspirational message from veteran musician Premik Russell Tubbs regarding an event that Premik was involved with in January of 2015. That message, in part, is as follows:

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Teardrop On A Martin Doyle Flute

This recently published video clip is a cover of the Massive Attack classic Teardrop as performed by the Irish flute player Eimear McGeown on a Martin Doyle keyless D flute. A lovely piece beautifully performed by Eimear who gets great tone from the flute.

From the credits:

A cover of the song Teardrop by Massive Attack. Demo Version produced by John Tonks. Arranged by Eimear McGeown and John Tonks. Eimear McGeown – Irish Flute. Anna Jenkins – Violin/Viola.

More video clips of various musicians playing Martin Doyle flutes can be viewed here: Martin Doyle Flutes | YouTube »

Martin Doyle’s Role In Becoming Jane

If you read the previous post, you will be aware that Martin Doyle spent a couple of weeks visiting friends (and making more) in Christchurch, New Zealand, over the 2014 Christmas period. On arrival Martin was quite ill with a heavy cold that he had caught in Clare the day before he left, which incubated very nicely during the 36 hours of air travel he had to endure to reach the far side of the world.

It is a matter of fact that bugs also like to travel and so it came to pass that Martin’s Kiwi friend and host Shardul caught a downgraded, second-hand, left-over version of the vicious and virulent virus. Life went on like this for a few short (and sometimes long) days and while the two were in convalescence mode one night, it was decided that a good movie would help clear the head-fog. The conversation revolving around which movie to watch went something like this…

Shardul: “Hey Martin, can you recommend a movie? I think we need to zone out for an hour or two.”

Martin: “Have a look at Becoming Jane.”

S: “Never heard of it. Is it any good?”

M: “Of course it’s good – I’m in it!

S: “You’re in a movie?!?

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Cairde Chualann Feature 5 Martin Doyle Flutes

The following video clip features a traditional Irish children’s tune called The Dingle Regatta being performed by Cairde Chualann at the 2013 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Derry. Cairde Chualann is a group of traditional musicians and dancers who hail from the counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare. The group has several flute players who play Martin Doyle flutes and we are told that there were three six-keyed, one nine-keyed and one keyless flute being played in this piece. The harpist is Claire O’Donnell who accompanies Martin Doyle (flute) playing a lovely tune that can be heard here: The Blue Hills of Antrim »

Enjoy the music…

Kathlyn Sheehy Wins Two All-Ireland Competitions

Kathlyn Sheehy is a young flute player who plays a Martin Doyle flute and won the 2012 All-Ireland Under-12 Flute Fleadh Cheoil competition in Cavan and placed second in the 2013 All-Ireland Under-12 Flute competition in Derry.

Our heartiest congratulations to Kathlyn – well done you!

Kathlyn Sheehy

Kathlyn Sheehy sporting a well earned All-Ireland trophy and her Martin Doyle flute.

More Fleadh Cheoil results can be viewed here: Fleadh Cheoil Results | Martin Doyle Flutes »

Mick McConnell’s Humorous Ballad

Mick McConnell performs The Ballad of Lidl and Aldi – a cracking good yarn written by himself about retail shopping and the effects it can have on ones marriage and living conditions. Mick is the brother of Cathal McConnell and the world is a richer place for the fact that traditional music, balladry and story telling courses through the veins of these lads.

As was reported in the Irish Examiner on Saturday September 28, 2013, “If you’ve ever gone into a certain German discount retailer on a Thursday morning and emerged with more than you intended, here’s the tune for you.”

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A Gift From Cathal McConnell »