About Máirtín
Short Biography
Máirtín de Cógáin is a singing, dancing, story-telling bodhrán player who also is a noted playwright and actor. He performs in his native Ireland and all over the U.S…. and between and beyond, too! An infectious personality, Máirtín pleasantly commands the attention of any collection of people, as large as a concert hall or as small as a porch.
Máirtín learnt his singing from many famous Irishmen such as Séamus Mac Mathúna, Danni Maichi Ua Súilleabháin, and Ciarán Dwyer. Story-telling has been in his family for generations. Máirtín's talents are boundless, having garnered recognition as a storyteller (winning two All-Ireland's), singer (front man for the Fuchsia Band), dancer, and actor (most notably in the film The Wind that Shakes the Barley). A fluent speaker of Irish Gaelic and gifted teacher of Cork’s folk dances, Máirtín makes friends wherever he goes. In a very short time, Máirtín, the Fuchsia Band, and the "Project" have made themselves regulars at some of the most prestigious Irish festivals in the U.S.
On the night of a full moon it is rumored de Cógáin stands at the cross roads playing to the wind.
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Heard on the Street
"Máirtín is a superb entertainer and a fine gentleman. He has been a delightful radio guest on Celtic Connections, and I found him to be a highly energetic and thoroughly enjoyable stage performer at our Southern Illinois Irish Festival. Máirtín is where it's happening!" – Bryan Kelso Crow, host of NPR's Celtic Connections
"It’s great to see a true artist at work." – Paddy Reilly
"A 21st Century Seanachie!" - Midwest Irish Focus
"You should have kept the beard. Pretty cover all the same." - Mother in law, January 2011
"Mairtin has really impressed me with his passion and knowledge of the Irish tradition; be it singing, inventive bodhrán playing or storytelling. The man has a natural, engaging way with people. Mairtin is set for great things! " - Jimmy Crowley
"Cork's Máirtín de Cógáin is a seanachie, and there ain't many left. He is a wonderful, total entertainer. Bigtime new talent! "- Bill Margeson from www.LiveIreland.com
"Mairtin, you are the best thing going, the 'genuine article' as it were with understanding and passion. Like an old beer commercial from years age, 'It just doesn't get any better than this!'– Mike Mazur, Storyteller
"Hope it sells well." – Bob, my bank manager