Mairtin O'Connor Band

Since 2001 the current line up of the Máirtín O’Connor band has been steadily evolving into a cohesive musical entity. The three musicians have built a formidable musical relationship over the last few years gigging together frequently as well as collaborating in the studio. The catalyst for this was Máirtín when he invited the others to play on his ground-breaking ‘Road West’ album and again later on the ‘Rain of Light’ recording, much of which went down live such was the musical and personal rapport that had developed between them. Individually recognised figureheads of the tradition, they have built solid reputations as master musicians with astounding skill, diversity and virtuosity. Together they produce a vibrant and musically charged experience that redefines one’s concept of brilliance, verging on perfection. If this musical powerhouse does not get you to your feet, nothing will.

The group performs mainly as a three piece but is occasionally joined by percussionist extraordinaire Jim Higgins (biog below).

Máirtín O’Connor (accordion)

Máirtín O’Connor is one of the most respected and best loved musicians ever to emerge from Ireland.

One of the main musical forces behind the now legendary Riverdance phenomenon, through his work with De Dannan, Midnight Well and Skylark and also as a solo artist he has quite simply gone where no Irish accordion player had gone before.

Many fine musicians have played in Máirtín’s bands. For the past 9 years the group has included multi-all Ireland winner Cathal Hayden and former Dervish member Séamie O’Dowd with percussionist Jim Higgins joining them occasionally.

In 2009 the trio released the much anticipated album ‘Crossroads’. Máirtín’s previous albums ‘Road West’ and ‘Rain of Light’ are considered ground-breaking and captivating.

A prolific writer of new material, Máirtín’s tunes can be heard on the recordings of many artists and at sessions throughout the world.


Cathal Hayden (fiddle, banjo)

Hayden needs no introduction to anyone even remotely familiar with traditional Irish music. A multiple All-Ireland Championship winner, he achieved world-wide recognition as one of the founder members of Four Men and a Dog. He is one of Ireland’s top fiddlers and his solo banjo performances are quite simply show-stopping.


Seamie O’Dowd (guitars, vocals)

O’Dowd’s musical abilities have become increasingly familiar at international level in recent years. Rooted deeply in the traditional music of Sligo, he has played in many genres of acoustic and electric music. He toured the world for a number of years with Sligo trad legends Dervish and recently has played both home and abroad with Liam O’Flynn, Matt Molloy and Mary McPartlan.


Jim Higgins (percussion)

Jim hails from Renmore in Galway. Born into a musical family, he went on to study music in University College Cork under Micheal O Suilleabhain amongst others. While in Cork, Jim caught ‘the bodhran bug’, playing alongside players such as Mel Mercier, Colm Murphy and Frank Torpey. During this period Jim was an active member of ‘The Stunning’ rock band playing trumpet and keyboards as well as percussion. He went on to play drums with fellow Galwegians ‘The Sawdoctors’ following a four year stint with ‘The Riverdance Show’ which took him around the world.

He is an honorary member of the Donegal based traditional group ‘Altan’ having recorded and toured extensively with them for the last fifteen years from the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. Jim also specializes in ethnic percussion
encompassing the djembe, the darabukkas, the
dumbeq and the mbira.