'Martin Hayes’ soulful interpretations of traditional Irish music are recognised the world over for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm.'

Presented as part of the public programme of Oidhreacht: Transforming Tradition, the exhibition that brings together a range of artworks from the 18th century to the contemporary moment exploring Irish traditional arts & culture, is a special intimate evening performance within the gallery with Co. Clare fiddle player, Martin Hayes, one of the greatest contemporary exponents of Irish traditional music across the world.

Recognised as Gradam Cheoil, Musician of the Year from TG4, Person of the Year by the American Irish Historical Society, and a recipient of the annual Spirit of Ireland award from the Irish Arts Centre of New York, most recently he received an Honorary Doctor of Music from National University of Ireland Galway, Martin’s career has spanned numerous years and magnificent, memorable performances with the likes of Dennis Cahill, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and RTE Concert Orchestra.

His unique sound and mastery over the violin, his understanding of the past but still wishing to shape the future of music, combine to create quite a formidable artist. Though he has drawn inspiration from many musical genres, he still remains grounded in the music he learned and grew up with in East Clare. Before the age of 19, Martin not only performed but was the recipient of six All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Spending most of his youth playing in his father’s band, the Tulla Celli Band, Hayes would go on to become founding of the seminal Irish-American band, The Gloaming, with whom he still tours internationally, even going so far as to win the prestigious Meteor Prize in 2014 for their debut album.

In addition to this, earlier this year, Martin was announced as one of the five new Cultural Ambassadors to Culture Ireland 'to assist in & enhance' the promotion of Ireland in the global arena under the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 initiative.

“Hayes’ music conjures up feeling pure raw emotion from the heart.”
— Dirty Linen/USA

Oidhreacht: Transforming Tradition
13 July - 14 September 2019
The exhibition includes diverse examples, some familiar, some not seen in public previously, of art and artefacts, and will offer a sense of the wide range of representations and expressions of Irish traditional arts & culture across visual art and material culture both in historic and contemporary art.

Artists in the exhibition include Jack Butler Yeats, Frederick William Burton, Elaine Byrne, George Campbell, John Cassidy, Simon Coleman, Ara Devine, Gerard Dillon, Laurence Fagan, Mike Fitzpatrick, Trevor Thomas Fowler, Joseph Patrick Haverty, Grace Henry, Paul Henry, James Humbert Craig, Seán Keating, Daniel Maclise, Philip Napier, Mick O’Dea, Alanna O’Kelly, George Petrie, Nano Reid, and Elizabeth Rivers.