Man with curly hair and glasses plays a violin passionately, eyes closed, against a dark background. The mood is contemplative and soulful.

Belfast International Arts Festival

Martin Hayes Trio

Special Guests - Mary Dillon, Neil Martin & Dónal O’Connor

Book Tickets

Wed 22 Oct 2025
7:30pm
£30.50 - £19.50 Includes maximum applicable per ticket booking fee.

Running Time: 2hrs 20mins (includes interval)

Martin Hayes, one of the most revered fiddlers of our time, returns to Belfast International Arts Festival for a special performance at the Grand Opera House.

Renowned for his soulful interpretations of traditional Irish music, Martin is the founder of the musical supergroup The Gloaming, The Common Ground Ensemble, and the Martin Hayes Quartet.

Over the past thirty years, Martin has recorded and collaborated with extraordinary musicians in the classical, folk and contemporary music worlds, including Dennis Cahill, Bill Frisell, Ricky Skaggs, Yo-Yo Ma, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra. He has also performed on stage with Sting, Paul Simon and Phoebe Bridgers.

In 2023, Martin released the album Peggy’s Dream with the Common Ground Ensemble, which received a 5-star review in the Irish Times.

Martin will be joined on stage by Brian Donnellan (bouzouki, concertina) and Conal O'Kane (guitar).

Mary Dillon, Neil Martin & Dónal O’Connor are joining the bill for Martin Hayes at the Grand Opera House.

This trio brings together three of Ireland’s most respected traditional musicians:

- Mary Dillon – renowned County Derry-born singer and founding member of Deanta, celebrated for her exquisite interpretations of Ulster song.

- Neil Martin – composer, cellist, uilleann piper and founder of The West Ocean String Quartet, whose work bridges classical and traditional music on the world stage.

- Dónal O’Connor – fiddler, filmmaker and producer from a famed Oriel musical dynasty, and Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, with an acclaimed career spanning performance, recording, and broadcasting.

Together, they promise an unforgettable addition to what is already set to be a highlight of this year’s Belfast International Festival.