Martin comes from a family of musicians and raconteurs of traditional stories from Mullaghabane in South Armagh. At the age of 10 Martin’s family moved to Laytown in Co.Meath. At an early age Martin was exposed to traditional music through the singing and accordion playing of his mother Mary who encouraged him to take up the accordion in 1981.
Martin began a professional career as a musician in 1994, to date he has toured with various bands including Lá Lugh and Dorsa and Oirialla performing and teaching workshops at major festivals in France, Norway, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Britain, Germany, Austria,
Belgium, Romania, Spain, Japan and the USA. He has featured on TV and radio nationally and internationally and has contributed to many CD’S including a duet recording with Banjo player Angelina Carberry, a Collaboration CD with Gerry O'Connor on fiddle and Fermanagh Singer and Concertina player Gabriel McArdle titled 'Jig Away the Donkey. Martin currently performs with the Band Oirialla alongside Gerry O’Connor on Fiddle, Nuala Kennedy Flute and songs and Breton Guitarist Gilles Le Bigot. When not busy performing, Martin is in keen demand as an accordion restorer and tuner/repairer and owner of Lisheen Accordions and also as an accordion tutor.
Tankardstown was formed by land confiscated in the 17th Century. Lands were merged to create demesnes with large houses as the focal point. In 1710, Tankardstown House passed to the Coddington family who lived at Oldbridge House, the battle of the Boyne site. By mid-18th Century, it was owned by Brabazon Morris.
Brabazon Morris mortgaged Tankardstown until it was bought out in 1815 by Francis Blackburne, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Tankardstown continued to be a private family residence until the current owners, the Conroys opened their doors to welcome guests in 2006, after a magnificent 4 year restoration on the property. Tankardstown represents a significant part of Irish history, and can now be enjoyed by everyone.
Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha is an uilleann piper from the Rath Chairn Gaeltacht. He also plays the tin whistle and the flute. Éamon Óg has a particular interest in slow airs and sean nós songs , being the son of ‘sean’ Éamon, the three times winner of Corn Uí Riada.
Éamon Óg had the priviledge of learning the art of playing the uilleann pipes from the master piper Brian McNamara, who shared his deep knowledge and exceptional understanding of of music and piping with Éamon.
Éamon has won many prizes at the fleadh cheoil and at Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Éamon regularly plays in the Bradán Feasa in Ráth Chairn and he has performed in National Concert Hall,at the Mòd in Scotland,he has played for the president of Ireland, Mary McAleese and for the King Carl XVI agus Queen Silvia of Sweden in May 2019.
Éamon works as a primary teacher in Kildare. He is also a great sportsman and plays for the Meath hurling team.