How should I describe Martin Donohoe? Mmmm. As a genial giant of a man? Well, he'd have to be another foot and a half taller to be in the ‘giant' category; but the ‘genial' bit is spot on and his girth might be about right, too. I've heard him described as a jovial Santa Claus of a man (except that the bushy brown beard's the wrong colour for the role). But he certainly reflects the popular image of Santa as the Jolly (ahem) Stout Man with the happy face and the ho-ho laughter. I have seen Martin
MC'ing concerts and extending himself all in the same evening into musician, comedian, and chief rounder-upper for the whole event. He is multi-talented. Martin's enthusiasm for traditional music and the people who play it and enjoy it is infectious. I observed him at the NYAH festival in 2005, and his joy and obvious pleasure in sharing it with all and sundry brought a special warmth and enjoyment to the whole event. He knows everybody and everybody knows him, and he is able to get the best out of people in promoting the festival and its objectives. If it were in the gift of each small town in Ireland to have its local GP prescribe a cure for all ills, they would have to recommend a Martin Donohoe for each place. When it comes to passing on a love for traditional music to the younger generation, he is a veritable Piped Piper of a man who seems divinely gifted in his ability to inspire the youngest of his charges with a love for the music. Martin is a man with the personal touch, and it will mean a lot to those of us who admire him and appreciate his many talents to have our own personal copy of this new album of his. Go maire tú, a Mháirtín. Mo cheol go deo tú!
Aidan O'Hara
Tasty Touches
Having taken this music for a walk, a drive in my car and sat in the quiet of my study and just listened, I have struggled to best describe what makes this work so special. Martin Donohoe began playing music when he was fourteen and now in his forty first year, hence the forty one tracks on these two CDs, his music has brought him to far flung places meeting many extraordinary people along the way. Martin himself would say he has also met a huge amount of ordinary people who have extraordinary talents and I think maybe that is the difference. ‘Tasty Touches' is a musical autobiography of a man that has touched the hearts and creative spirit of so many people that it really is no surprise to see it has taken two CD's to chart Martin's career to date.
In truth ‘Tasty Touches' is the culmination of his musical journey up to now but as is always the case with Martin his next project is already brewing quietly away in a cranium that is packed with creativity. This particular project has seen Martin team up with the quiet and unassuming bouzouki player Fintan McManus in Fintan's home studio in Belturbet, County Cavan . The recording, mixing and production of this album was all done by Martin and Fintan
with the end result being a perfect reflection of two individuals who simply love what they do and are particularly gifted at it. Martin prides himself on being a family man and he has every reason to be proud especially considering all of his children are included on this recording once again making a very clear statement as to where his priorities lie.
This project began over a year ago and includes music from the Shetland Islands, Scotland , America and Ireland with some beautiful original pieces from Martin. Hard work is easy when you enjoy what you are doing and for Martin this album was a labour of love made all the sweeter as he worked side by side with musicians, singers and dancers who he can truly call friends. I would not presume to pass judgement on this piece of work other than to say that it is packed with emotion, passion and pleasure which are attributes Martin Donohoe has in abundance both in his life and especially in his music.
Peter O'Hanlon Cavan Feb. 2006
Cavan Equestrian Centre, the Slieve Russell… and Martin Donohoe
County Cavan has a handful of tourist attractions that regularly draw in visitors from other Irish counties and overseas: Cavan Equestrian Centre puts the town on the national map in certain circles, the Slieve Russell Hotel is the destination for many a visit to the county, and then, there's Martin Donohoe.
Accordion player Martin is a legend in his own time. A household name throughout the county, he is also known in traditional music circles countrywide and indeed overseas. “Legendary”, “a star” and “a tourist attraction” was how the musician was described at a ceremony held in November 2005 where Martin was honoured with the Vodafone Passion For The World Around Us Award. RTE Ceili House presenter Kieran Hanrahan, speaking in February 2006 at one of the many high-profile sessions instigated by Martin, summed up what is most remarkable about this natural leader. “When Martin Donohoe rings, you know something big is going to happen”, said Hanrahan.
And so, lots of big things have happened for traditional music in County Cavan . But for his modesty, Martin could take credit for initiating many of them, namely, the annual Nyah Festival, the wonderful Caught Bouquet CD and book which he co-produced, and a number of other CDs showcasing the unique sound of Cavan Trad' such as A Call From the Musical Heart of Cavan.
A native of Cavan Town , Martin is a gifted traditional musician in his own right but spends a lot of his time promoting and producing other people's work, having a particular passion for all things Cavan-related – its music, its culture, its people. Martin recognises that County Cavan has a buoyant and rich traditional music base and goes beyond the call of duty in uniting the abundance of musicians and harnessing their power as a tour de force. He is the first stop for people in Cavan whether they have a grand plan or a big problem of a musical nature. His earthy and genuine passion for Cavan's musical tradition, coupled with his warm and friendly personality put him at the centre of the trad' scene.
Martin is hugely ambitious for his county's musicians, which is evident in how he puts other people's work before his own. He knows their ability and sees their potential. He believes in and promotes them.
Martin founded the Nyah Festival, now in its third year and growing fast. The Nyah (an old Irish word meaning lift or soul in music) is winning positive coverage in the national media and for the duration of the festival attracts visitors to County Cavan from all over the country and some from abroad.
On a personal level, 41-year-old Martin is also passing on his passion for music to his four children with wife Angela. Their sons Kavan (13) and Keenan (8) and daughters Savannah (10) and Zoran (6) are all musically talented, between them playing the harp, pipes,concertina, flute, whistle, Singing and banjo.
Sinead Hogan Anglo Celt Cavan |
