The Fine Art of Fiddle Making in Garrykennedy, Co. Tipperary, Ireland 1975

Ciarán MacMathúna meets Clare man Jerry Martin to discuss the craft of fiddle making.
There’s life in sycamore and it isn’t in anything else.
Jerry Martin, Fiddle Maker was born in 1897 in Gurteeny, Co.Galway. He became a carpenter and a stone mason and in 1927 went to work in County Clare. Later he moved to Garrykennedy. He mastered the craft of boat building and fiddle making. He loved traditional music which he played on the flute and later on the fiddle.
In this clip from 1975, Ciarán MacMathúna pays him a visit and they speak about the art of fiddle making. Jerry speaks about the sycamore timber he uses for fiddles. Quoting Stradivarius on making these musical instruments Jerry says “if you hadn’t life in your timber before you made it, don’t make it at all”.
‘A Visit to Jerry Martin’ was broadcast on 31 March 1975.

[@thornwarbler]

What a gem..........Cheers

[@dodzer]

man, this page is such a treasure trove

[@joenavanodo3780]

“Bog Oak.”
“Where’s it from?”
“The bog ye gom.”

[@haimbenavraham1502]

This man and his fine art, as rare as leprechauns.

[@antoanto5301]

Another rarity CR, this channel is better than reeling in the years!

[@lizmacleod8903]

Marvelous to see a true artisan At his craft , not many like him

[@DashDrones]

He'd be 124 now, what a legend...

[@choctaw6838]

Poor man's chest done in from dust
He's right it's a gift he had

[@walkingwithtamson]

It's a gift.

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

To experts chatting away about the making of a very important musical instrument that will tell its own story when it is been played. I still Ciarán MacMathúna

[@muireannnisheoigheeachthig3935]

Does anyone know where he learned fiddle making? I am a maker from Tipp myself and would love to know more about the more rural irish makers!

[@nicholascooper1989]

I'd like to second this, and I'd also like to get my hand on a fiddle of his to see what they sound like. Anyone got any tips?

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

What part of Ireland was this film in

[@padraigoglasain8281]

Garrykennedy / Garraí Uí Chinnéide, Co. Tipperary, on the banks of Lough Derg.

[@HelenTudor-Douglas]

This was filmed in that part of Ireland where "closed captioning" in the future, won't help you understand his English at all.

[@paulcallaghan729]

He sounds like he’s from the west ! 🍀🇧🇾🇧🇾

[@stephenryan7855]

Where in Ireland is this man from?

[@Dreyno]

South East Galway. Gorteeny. He was living across the lake in Garrykennedy when this was filmed.

[@stephenryan7855]

@@Dreyno Thank you. Do you know what age he was?

[@nedi1150]

@@stephenryan7855 He was 78.

[@melissa0386]

Tip

[@2000coddoc]

Ahh good ol imperial