Talent and expertise are essential attributes in many worlds, most especially in creative art, design and music. The ability to draw, to play an instrument, to think outside boxes, to offer a fresh view point, to entertain, to visualise, to conceive new ideas are all part of what keeps a creative mind alive and let alone pay the bills!

"For me, there is no greater reward that in the giving of my talents to organisations that support and serve people for the greater good"

The MS Care Centre provide hope and respite for people with MS and their families. The lives of PWMS are full of challenges and reliant on outside help and support. No less so from design that catches the eye for charity fund raising events or music that relaxes and entertains.

"Martin has supported our work at the Care Centre with a range of design supports across a range of media including promotional campaigns for our fundraising events,  administrative templates and reports and resident document design"

Ann McNamara. MS Care Centre

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was founded in 1954 to preserve, promote and develop Irish traditional music song and dance. With hundreds of branches across Ireland, Comhaltas is also active in America, Britain throughout Europe and as far a field as Australia and Japan, CCE depends on people in communities to nurture Ireland's ancient folk tradition as it is passed from one generation to the next.

"As a designer Martin has guided CCE in visual communications and Public Relations. Martin was National PRO for six years and he was public relations officer for the three years of the ground breaking Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Cavan town from 2010 to 2012. PROs and committess across Ireland benefits from Martin's ongoing design and creative support to Comhaltas and the Craobh Naithi branch in Dublin"

Labhras O'Murchu, Ard-Stiúrthóir CCE

The Music Instrument Fund of Ireland supports young string players through the provision of high quality instruments. The organisation depends on donations, grant aid and fund raising to develop the instrument bank.

"The development of a corporate identity and promotional materials by Martin Gaffney gave MIFI a much needed platform to enable it to grow awareness of its work among potential sponsors and students"

Richard Redmond. MIFI

The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the representative body for professional designers of all disciplines. Martin Gaffney was its President in 2004 during which time he worked to promote and develop the design Profession. A major initiative during this year was the research, writing, design and publication of a booklet promoting design as a career path to secondary school students.

'Why Design' was launched in Dublin Castle by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin and distributed with the assistance of the Department of Education to Secondary Schools throughout Ireland.