Hayes fit as fiddle

An all-Ireland fiddle champion several times over, Martin Hayes is artistic director of the Masters of Tradition Festival, which runs in Bantry until Sunday.

“It’s become a part of my year,” says the Clare man. “It’s a mile-marker each year and a great experience. It puts me in a different position, where I have to be concerned about other people’s performance. It’s great to be rooting for other people to do a great performance.”

Martin turned 50 last month and last year married his Spanish-born girlfriend Lina. He met her a year earlier near Scariff. “We got married after one year of meeting, on the anniversary of our meeting. It was pretty much clear what was going to happen as soon as we met.”

Martin, who splits his time between Clare and Connecticut, performs at 7.30pm tonight in Bantry House, as part of his new group, The Teetotallers, and also on Sunday, again in Bantry House.

What shape are you in?

I’m in fairly good shape. I don’t have any outstanding issues and it’s not that I’m doing a lot to take care of myself. I don’t get enough exercise. Walking is something I do but not enough.

Do you have any health concerns?

I really think it’s all about attitude to life. I think we can produce energy within ourselves – or not. I’ve looked at the longest living in my family and said ‘those are the genes I have’. I have a grandmother who lived ’til she was 103.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I’m a vegetarian. I try to stay away from refined starches, so I wouldn’t eat much white bread or sugar. I try to eat as much wholegrain food as I can. I don’t overdo coffee or tea. Some days, I might only have one cup of tea or, if I’m travelling, just one cup of coffee.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Sometimes, I love to sit down to a massive dish of pasta. Or I could devour a packet of Goldgrain biscuits.

What would keep you awake at night?

Nothing. My major stress is the amount of correspondence that mounts up all the time. It never gets finished. Sometimes, there’s the stress of logistics and time management, but that’s not a huge, end-of-the-world stress.

How do you relax?

I like to read, take walks, go to the movies, go to dinner with friends.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

That question reminds me of a very strange dream I had recently, where I was having dinner with de Valera. I thought he was a fairly austere man but in the dream he was quite pleasant.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’m at the point where I accept myself the way I am. I could definitely be in much better shape physically, be more toned, but I know how to do that and I’m not doing it.

When did you last cry?

I can sometimes be holding back a tear at a movie. The last time I really cried was at my dad’s funeral, and at my wedding — I was trying to choke back a tear.

What’s your favourite smell?

The smell of fried onions.

What trait do you least like in others?

I get annoyed if people don’t really commit to the thing they’re doing. I feel sorry for them because they’re letting their own life go. I like to see people giving it their all.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I can be a little impatient and intolerant when people aren’t doing their best. I try not to be but I should try more.

Do you pray?

I do, though not regularly. I’m more inclined to meditation. I don’t make much of a distinction between prayer and meditation.

What would cheer up your day?

Good food, company and sunshine.