Category Archives: Website

Aikido Classes With Martin Doyle

Martin Doyle has just published a new website that introduces his Aikido classes to the world via the internet.

Clare Aikikai

Clare Aikikai – Aikido classes with Martin Doyle in Liscannor, County Clare, Ireland.

Martin Doyle first became interested in Aikido in 1987 at the recommendation of a friend and is now a nidan (2nd Dan (rank)) Aikido instructor – or sensei (teacher) in Japanese. He offers twice weekly Aikido classes for adults and children at Liscannor, County Clare.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the Way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the Way of harmonious spirit.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Read more: Aikido »

For more information about Martin Doyle’s aikido classes in Liscannor, visit: Clare Aikikai » (no longer exists)
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New Testimonial Added

Martin Doyle has just received a very nice testimonial from Paul MaCarthy – a self professed ‘flute player for the fun of it’ – who hails from Clonmel in County Tipperary. Paul’s kind comments are as follows:

Paul McCarthy

Paul McCarthy with his Martin Doyle flute.

“Having played other flutes (mainly African Blackwood with headliner) and been dissatisfied with their somewhat capricious nature, I started searching for an instrument which did not have these flaws. After scratching around the country on and off for months and visiting several well respected flute makers, I failed to find what I was looking for. Maybe it was me and not the flutes but I found them very unacceptably fickle.

Eventually in the autumn of 2005 I found myself in a snug workshop in Bray talking with a very relaxed and affable flute maker who invited me to sit into the corner and try any flute I could find. There were several on a rack on the table next to me so I started with the one closest to me and worked my way along about 7 or 8 of them. Being of a methodical nature, I played the same tune (a slip jig called A Fig For A Kiss) on each of them to better judge their performance. All were sweet toned, balanced and uncapricious. Then my eye lit on it. A nice looking Cocuswood, unkeyed, unlined flute at the end of the rack. The feeling I got on playing those first few notes I can still recall. Absolutely gorgeous tone, weight and balance, not a hint of fickleness and with that lovely soft, mellow reverberation which comes with good tone. Low D? No problem. Another fifteen minutes playing passed interspersed with question and answers with Martin. The decision to buy this particular flute was not made by me nor by Martin but by the flute. This thing of beauty is of the rare sort and gives massive enjoyment.
Thanks are not enough Martin Doyle!”

Thank you Paul – your kind words are great encouragement!

More comments from flute players all over the world can be viewed here: Testimonials »

New Testimonial For Martin Doyle Flutes

Website Updates

Martin Doyle has just received a very kind testimonial from John Wood of London, England. John has recently purchased a keyless Martin Doyle flute made of African Blackwood (without a tuning slide) from All Flutes Plus and had this to say about his purchase:

“[…] I bought a keyless (no tuning slide) Traditional Blackwood flute at All Flutes Plus just three days ago and I cannot believe that I can finally play the Irish flute… (well starting to anyway). I have been playing the Uilleann Pipes and whistle and a wooden Boehm-system flute for years, but every time I would try the ‘Irish flute‘ I would hide it back in the sock drawer after half an hour and there it would stay for another 3 or 4 months. Every time I tried it I would end up exhausted and irritated beyond words… Why could I not sound like everyone else I heard playing this *&^%$^ thing. Now I pick up your flute and everyday it is playing easier, sweeter, stronger! Amazing! There are so many choices out there but believe me, I made the right choice when I bought a Martin Doyle flute.”

Many thanks to John Wood for his kind and encouraging words.

More comments from flute players all over the world can be viewed here: Testimonials »

New Business Card and Brochure

In keeping with the spirit of improvement and newness, and to reflect Martin Doyle‘s high standards of craftsmanship, a new business card and brochure has just been created for Martin Doyle Flutes.

The new business card and four panel A5 brochure are of course available in hard copy and, for anyone who requires them, printable PDF versions have also been added to Martin Doyle’s website and can be downloaded here: Contact »

Credit and gratitude for the graphic design and creation of the the new business card and brochure goes to our good friend Asankita in New Zealand – thank you brother!

2008: A new business card and brochure for Martin Doyle Flutes.

2008: A new business card and brochure for Martin Doyle Flutes.

Martin Doyle Flutes Updates

Website Updates

Martin Doyle Flutes has been enhanced with the addition of a Flute Information Quick-find panel to make important information more accessible. We have also made a few other minor modifications in other area of the homepage in order to enhance the experience that visitors have when visiting Martin’s website.

Quite a number of new images have been added to Martin Doyle’s Flickr album:
Flute Maker Martin Doyle »

And we have also added a page that deals with the care and maintenance of wooden flutes:
Wooden Flute Care »