Martin comes from a family of musicians and raconteurs of traditional stories from the town land of Carricknagavna just outside the village of Mullaghabane in South Armagh .
At an early age Martin was exposed to traditional music through the playing and singing of his grandfather John Ned Quinn and soon after developed a keen interest in traditional music and especially that of the Button accordion.
Martin took up the accordion in 1981 and since has become regarded as one of its finest exponent's. He also composes music in the traditional idiom.
Martin began his professional career as a musician in 1994, to date he has toured with various bands including Lá Lugh and Dorsa, 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 Paul Bradley’s fine solo album "The Atlantic Roar" and has guested on Composer Josephine Keegan‘s double CD ‘Lifeswork’ contributing 2 tracks and also 2 tracks to Dundalk fiddler Gerry O’Connor’s CD ‘Journey Man’
In 2003, Martin along with Angelina Carberry released their self titled CD.
The CD received critical acclaim across the Traditional music world, being included in the top 10 list of Traditional recordings of that year compiled by renowned Music columnist Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo, one of America
In 2005 Martin contributed 2 tracks to Angelina’s solo album an Traidisiún Beo as well as producing the project.
In 2006 Martin was invited alongside Fiddler Gerry O’Connor and the redoubtable Cathal Mc Connell to take part in the Music Network tour of Ireland
Martin currently performs with the Band Oriealla 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 also as an accordion tutor. Over the past seven years Martin has developed an innovative and unique approach to playing the bass on the Button Accordion, developing and tuning new chords for the instrument based on those of the Regulators on the Uilleann Pipes
He now lives in Co Longford.
