Music
The Fuchsia Band
Máirtín de Cógáin is a masterful Bodhrán player, singer, and storyteller whose performances shine whether he’s performing solo, collaborating with other musicians, or leading a band. He seamlessly weaves rhythm, song, and story to create experiences that are vibrant, engaging, and unforgettable. Known for his ability to connect with audiences of all ages, Máirtín brings authenticity, energy, and heart to every stage, festival, or private event. Booking him guarantees more than a performance – it’s an immersive journey through Ireland’s musical and storytelling traditions, delivered with skill, passion, and a uniquely captivating presence.
Bands / Music:
- The Máirtín de Cógáin Project (what kind of name is that?)
- The Fish Market Trio (we play for the Halibut)
- Gailfean (haven’t played in ages but might)
- Solo/duo/anything you need
Workshops
Máirtín conducting a bodhran workshop
Máirtín de Cógáin is the kind of teacher who brings Irish culture to life through story, song, and genuine human connection. In his workshops, learning feels less like a classroom lesson and more like sitting around a fire listening to a master storyteller – one who invites everyone into the tradition rather than talking at them. He blends history, folklore, language, music, and lived experience with warmth, humor, and deep respect for the culture, making even complex or ancient material feel accessible and relevant. Participants are encouraged to join in, ask questions, sing, laugh, and reflect, leaving not only better informed, but emotionally connected to Ireland and its cultural heartbeat.
A dynamic and engaging workshop leader who creates immersive Irish cultural experiences that resonate long after the session ends. Drawing on his background as a performer, storyteller, and cultural ambassador, he delivers workshops that are energetic, inclusive, and deeply authentic. Máirtín has a rare ability to read a room and adapt in the moment—whether working with students, educators, or community groups—balancing insight, humor, and participation to keep everyone engaged. His teaching style invites people to actively experience Irish culture through story, song, language, and tradition, making his workshops not only informative but memorable, inspiring, and highly shareable.
Workshops on offer:
- Storytelling
- Singing
- Bodhrán
- Céilí dancing
- Irish language
Lectures
Máirtín de Cógáin’s PowerPoint presentations and talks are crafted as compelling, story-driven journeys rather than traditional lectures. Using striking visuals, carefully chosen songs, or stories, and clear narrative arcs, he distills big, complex subjects into engaging, accessible talks that hold attention from start to finish. Whether he is unpacking a brief history of Ireland, guiding audiences through the mythical stones of the landscape, exploring the four cycles of Irish storytelling, tracing Irish rebellion through song, or offering insider wisdom on how to travel Ireland like a pro, Máirtín blends scholarship with performance. His talks are paced, personable, and memorable – designed to inform, entertain, and spark curiosity – making them ideal for festivals, schools, libraries, cultural organizations, and tour groups alike.
Lectures:
- The brief & vague history of Ireland
- The mythical stones of Ireland
- The four cycles of Irish storytelling
- Songs of the Irish abroad and soldiering
- 300 years of Irish rebellion in 12 songs
- How to travel around Ireland like a pro (
)
Travel with me
Traveling with Máirtín de Cógáin is less like joining a bus tour and more like being welcomed into Ireland by a trusted friend who knows every bend in the road and the stories that live there. His tours are fun because they are alive with music, humor, and spontaneous moments – songs sung where they were born, stories told where they happened, and plenty of laughter along the way. They are insightful because Máirtín goes beyond guidebook facts, weaving history, folklore, language, and local insight into the landscape so that places truly make sense. With his warmth, curiosity, and natural gift for bringing people together, the bus itself becomes part of the experience – full of conversation, shared discovery, and a deepening connection to Ireland that travelers carry home with them.
Travel with me
Máirtín as an MC
Hiring Máirtín de Cógáin as an event MC means putting your event in the hands of someone who can instantly connect with a room and keep energy flowing naturally from start to finish. He brings warmth, wit, and impeccable timing, ensuring transitions feel seamless and the audience always feels included rather than managed. With his background in performance, storytelling, and live events, Máirtín can think on his feet, handle unexpected moments with ease, and elevate speakers, musicians, and guests by setting them up to shine. Whether the tone calls for celebratory, reflective, or high-spirited, he reads the crowd and shapes the atmosphere, leaving your event feeling cohesive, memorable, and genuinely alive.
Máirtín as a podcast host
The Ballad Lounge podcast is Máirtín de Cógáin & Rory Makem’s intimate, story-led exploration of (mainly Irish) song, history, and the people who keep those traditions alive. Each episode feels like being invited into a late-night room where songs are shared not as performances, but as living stories—rooted in place, politics, migration, love, loss, and resistance. Máirtín goes beyond the melody to uncover where a song came from, who carried it, and why it still matters today, often weaving in conversation, reflection, and live singing. You would listen to The Ballad Lounge if you want to understand Irish culture from the inside out—through voice, memory, and meaning—rather than through textbooks or playlists.
Máirtín as a voice artist
Máirtín de Cógáin is a rare all-in-one talent: a compelling voice, a natural storyteller, and a seasoned live performer who knows how to connect instantly with an audience. Whether on stage, on the road, behind a microphone, or leading a room, he brings authenticity, intelligence, and infectious energy to everything he does. His work is rooted in real Irish culture—never caricature—making him equally effective as a voiceover artist, event MC, workshop leader, tour guide, and speaker. Hiring Máirtín means hiring someone who elevates the experience, draws people in, and leaves them feeling entertained, informed, and genuinely connected.
Máirtín as a voice artist
Have you seen my lucky charms ads or heard my lucky charms album? It’s called Magically Delicious. It’s on Spotify
Máirtín as an actor
The Wind That Shakes The Barley - 2006
Máirtín de Cógáin is a versatile and compelling actor whose performances bring depth, authenticity, and nuance to every role. He has appeared in acclaimed films such as The Wind That Shakes the Barley alongside Cillian Murphy, as well as on stage in productions like De Bogman, showcasing his range across both screen and theatre. Máirtín combines a natural presence with a deep understanding of storytelling, making every character he portrays memorable and engaging. His experience in film, television, and live performance allows him to adapt seamlessly to diverse roles, bringing professionalism, dedication, and a uniquely Irish authenticity that resonates with audiences.
Máirtín as a trad wife
I make my own bread, laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent. I have my own style folding laundry. 