Martin Hayes - Musician and Composer Artwork

Love and Courage

The Love and Courage podcast features interviews with inspirational people who are making a real difference in the world today. Guests are typically people passionate about social justice, and who have demonstrated courage and conviction in their lives. Ruairí McKiernan is a multi award winning Irish social innovator, campaigner, writer and public speaker. He is the founder of the pioneering SpunOut youth organization, and helped set-up the Uplift and the A Lust For Life non-profits. In 2012 the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins appointed Ruairí to the Council of State, a constitutional advisory body whose members include all former leaders of the country. Ruairí is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Fulbright fellowship, and he contributes regularly to the media on youth, health, community and social justice issues.

All Episodes

Love and Courage

Martin Hayes - Musician and Composer

March 11, 2025 • Ruairí McKiernan

Martin Hayes is a world-renowned Irish fiddler from Feakle in east Clare, a place steeped in music and tradition. Martin is well known for his distinctive and soulful style of playing that blends traditional Irish music with innovative contemporary interpretations. He’s an iconic figure in Irish music. From his early years winning multiple All-Ireland Fiddle Championships to his celebrated work with the late Dennis Cahill and The Gloaming, Martin is a man who brings great depth, expression and beauty to all that he does.

It was a joy to have this chat with him and to hear about his early influences, his years in the US, his thoughts on mediation, music and culture, and his new life in Spain.

This episode is also part of my Creative Souls of Clare podcast series, where you can find lots of great conversations with some of County Clare’s leading creative lights.

Subscribe, share, rate, review and donate to support this podcast. Thanks to patrons who chip in at www.loveandcourage.org Host Ruairí McKiernan is a well-known social innovator, charity founder, campaigner, counsellor, consultant, and author. Find out more via: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn and check out his book Hitching for Hope. He also has another podcast called Creative Souls of Clare.