Martin Wynne

Martin Wynne (1913-1998) Irish fiddler, was born in the townland of Everlawn, Bunninadden, Co. Sligo. Martin Emigrated to England in the 1930's and played in the Garry Owen Ceili Band which included his neighbour, Joe O'Dowd. He returned home for a short time in 1939, before emigrating to America in the 1940's. In 1948, Martin followed the path of many other Sligo fiddlers and took an emigrant boat to America. After a brief stay in Buffalo, he moved to New York City, where he settled in the Bronx; he found work with Con Ed and later with the US Post Office. Martin arrived in the Bronx too late to meet Michael Coleman and James Morrison, both of whom had died in the mid-40’s. He did meet up, however, with Paddy Killoran and with another great south Sligo fiddler, James ‘Lad’ O’Beirne. A fiddle player of great skill, Martin made a significant contribution to traditional music by his highly popular reel compositions, tunes well known wherever Irish music is played. One of the last players in the great Sligo fiddling tradition.