Martin Howley

Seven-time All Ireland Banjo Champion, Martin Howley, is one of Ireland’s most distinguished banjo exports. Martin, hailing from South Galway, grew up in a house full with music with his father and brother both playing music professionally. He began touring at a young age, travelling across Europe and the U.S. performing with the Brock McGuire Band and Celtic Legends.

His diverse musical interests have led to live performances with luminaries such as Mumford and Sons and recording work with members of the Black Eyed Peas. He holds the distinct honour of being the first Irish tenor banjo player to play the hallowed Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In 2011, Martin joined forces with his brother David and Galway natives Enda and Fergal Scahill to form We Banjo 3. The group has seen a meteoric rise in Ireland and internationally. In 2012, after winning the highly coveted Music Network Young MusicWide award, the group recorded their debut album ‘Roots of The Banjo Tree’ which went on to win album of the year awards from the Irish Times, LiveIreland.com and Irish American News. Known for their infusion of the rich heritages of Irish and American Bluegrass and OldTime music, alongside the confusion of their numerically mysterious name, the group have become a headline act in Europe and the U.S. playing 14 countries in the last year. Their follow up album, ‘Gather The Good’, released in 2014 has received critical acclaim, winning four Album of the Year Awards from LiveIreland.com, Celtic Connections WSIU, Lonesome Highway RTE Radio 1 and Irish American News.

Martin is held in high esteem as an educator with a large stable of mandolin and banjo students, many achieving All-Ireland honors of their own and embarking on professional careers. Martin is known as a teacher of great innovation and tasteful interpretations.