Marty Barry
Bouzouki | Guitar | Tenor Banjo
Marty Barry is a traditional musician and singer from Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, whose music carries the weight of generations. A skilled multi-instrumentalist on guitar, banjo, and bouzouki, he comes from a long line of musicians stretching back to the 1800s—a heritage that has profoundly shaped his approach to traditional music.
His musical awakening came through the stories and recordings of his great-grandmother, the renowned traveller singer Maggie Barry, whose powerful voice and deep connection to Irish tradition left an indelible mark on the young musician. This ancestral connection spurred Marty to pursue formal music studies at the University of Limerick, where he honed both his technical abilities and his understanding of traditional repertoire.
Since graduating, Marty has established himself as a versatile arranger and session musician, contributing to recordings for a wide array of artists. Most recently, he featured on Damien Dempsey’s latest release, bringing his distinctive instrumental voice to the acclaimed singer’s work.
Marty performs regularly with traditional musicians Cathal Ó Curráin and The Friel Sisters. He has toured extensively throughout Europe, America, Australia, and China with the Friel Sisters and has guested on albums such as Caitlin Nic Gabhann and Ciarán O Maonaigh’s, Cathal Curran’s The High Seas, and Alan Reid and Rachel Conlon’s A Quare Yield. His work with The Friel Sisters was featured on their new album, released in January 2025. His own debut solo album, The Sweet Bann Waterside, draws heavily from Cathal O’Boyle’s Songs of the County Down, presenting carefully selected traditional pieces that honor both his geographical and musical roots. Through his performances and recordings, Marty Barry continues the vital work of preserving and reimagining the traditional music of Ireland. We can’t wait for him to arrive here in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada so everyone can share in his many musical and cultural gifts!
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