A native of Killeshandra County Cavan, Martin is a traditional Irish Musician, he teaches Concert Flute, tin whistle, piano and piano accordion with the Craobh Naithí branch of Comhaltas in Dublin.
He was National PRO of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from 2003-2008 with whom he organised brand and Public Relations workshops for Branch, County and Provincial Public Relations Officers in Ireland and Britain. He was author of ‘Connecting with our public’ a guideline booklet on brand management and Public Relations for CCÉ.
As a musician Martin performs regularly and is a member of the Dodder Banks Ceili Band Athá Cliath. In the past he has performed with Comhaltas groups and bands including Cuilcagh, Deanach, The Killeshandra Wrenboys and The Anderson Gaffney Band playing throughout Ireland, Europe and the United States. Martin teaches at music workshops and is available to perform and teach. Contact martin@martingaffney.ie
As a designer Martin is particularly interested in the synergy of design and traditional Irish music culture.
His collaborative projects include the design of ‘Ceol na Cathrach’ with Dublin Flute Player Mick O’Connor at TradFest, ‘Round the House and Mind the Dresser’ and the Comhaltas Living Tradition Exhibitions for Cavan County Museum. For Craobh Naithí Martin designed the CD packaging for the 2016 traditional music CD 'A Moment in Time.
Martin also collaborated with Fintan Vallely and Photographer Nutan to research, write, design and publish a book on the life and music of Musician Ben Lennon.
Martin was the PRO of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan 2010-2012 and he is an Advisor the The Music Instrument Fund of Ireland
Music News and events
Reavy's Maudabawn Chapel
Ben Lennon Book
Ed Reavy Festival 2016
Martin Gaffney and Marcus OMurchu, concert flutes, Brenda Castles Concertina, Anton MacGabhainn and Athena Tergis Fiddle playing one of Ed Reavys most popular compositions, the reel 'Maudabawn Chapel' in Maudabawn Chapel October 2016 as part of the Ed Reavy festival.
The performance was recorded and transmitted by TG4 for the 'Hup' programme. Th Ed Reavy festival is an annual weekend of music workshops and concerts.
The Ed Reavy logotype and initial festival promotional materials were designed by Martin Gaffney to support the establishment of the festival. Cavan County Museum commissioned a exhibition design and opened a Ed Reavy Room at the Museum in Ballyjamesduff. Ed Reavy Festival identity & exhibition design >>>
For more information
https://www.facebook.com/EdReavyTradFest/
Ben Lennon Book Launch
The Leitrim GAA Supporters Club event at Croke Park provided the stage for a few tunes and the launch of the book 'The Tailor's Twist' by legendary Leintrim Fiddler Ben Lannon. Desgined by Martin Gaffney and written by Fintan Vallely with ohotographs from Nutan, the book records the life and music of Ben Lennon.