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John McCartin — Guitar Tutor
County Leitrim musician John McCartin is one of the most respected guitar accompanists in contemporary Irish traditional music. Originally a fiddle player, he began learning at the age of ten before a growing fascination with accompaniment led him towards the guitar. That grounding in melody remains central to his playing, giving his accompaniment an instinctive understanding of lift, phrasing and the shape of traditional tunes.
John holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick and is widely recognised as both a performer and teacher. He is a core member of Garadice and also performs with the acclaimed trio Carlos Sweeney McCartin. His long list of collaborators includes Dónal Lunny, Frankie Gavin, Dermot Byrne and Sharon Shannon, alongside leading groups such as Dervish, Lúnasa and De Dannan.
Recent performances include collaborations with Gráinne Brady at Baltimore Fiddle Fair 2026, where his playing was described as both driving and sensitive. John is also now the owner of Avalon Guitars, continuing a lifelong connection with the instrument that has taken him around the world.
John McCartin — Guitar Tutor
County Leitrim musician John McCartin is one of the most respected guitar accompanists in contemporary Irish traditional music. Originally a fiddle player, he began learning at the age of ten before a growing fascination with accompaniment led him towards the guitar. That grounding in melody remains central to his playing, giving his accompaniment an instinctive understanding of lift, phrasing and the shape of traditional tunes.
John holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick and is widely recognised as both a performer and teacher. He is a core member of Garadice and also performs with the acclaimed trio Carlos Sweeney McCartin. His long list of collaborators includes Dónal Lunny, Frankie Gavin, Dermot Byrne and Sharon Shannon, alongside leading groups such as Dervish, Lúnasa and De Dannan.
Recent performances include collaborations with Gráinne Brady at Baltimore Fiddle Fair 2026, where his playing was described as both driving and sensitive. John is also now the owner of Avalon Guitars, continuing a lifelong connection with the instrument that has taken him around the world.
