Martin Doyle has recently received a glowing testimonial from American flutist Shana Stone – an accomplished performer, teacher and composer/arranger who resides in Georgia. Having recently become the proud owner of one of Martin Doyle’s wooden head joints for her concert flute, Shana had the following to say…
Martin, I think this wooden headjoint is the closest thing to perfection I’ve ever played in a flute. The sound is absolutely gorgeous, the colors are amazing, it’s incredibly responsive, and the low register is so expansive and rich. It comes to life and sings! It’s been a very long time since I enjoyed playing just that much. I didn’t want to put it down!
Thank you again for this mind-blowing gift. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it and will treasure it always!
Our thanks to Shana for her kind and encouraging words.
Martin Doyle has for a number of years been making thin-wall wooden headjoints for concert flutes. This year (2026) he has completed a thick-wall head joint at the request of a customer. The image below displays both versions with the thick-wall head joint being the lower one in the image.
Our heartiest congratulations fly to the very talented Molly Pittendrigh of County Mayo!
Molly won the seniors (Over 18) flute, whistle, and flute slow air competitions at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Belfast a few weeks ago. Molly plays a Martin Doyle flute and we are very proud of her accomplishments. An extraordinary effort goes into becoming a champion and that also includes a great commitment of support from family and friends. Our congratulations extend to Molly’s younger sister Hannah who also competed in Belfast and won awards in the 15-18 age group for whistle and whistle slow air.
Martin Doyle’s flutes have done well in the hands of multiple young player throughout 2026. More information here »
Molly Pittendrigh Belfast 2026
Here is a video clip of Molly playing at Corofin in 2025.
In late December of 2025, we featured a six key boxwood flute that Martin Doyle had made for a client in America. Ten days ago Martin received a lovely testimonial message from the owner of that flute, Thomas Jones, who very eloquently expressed how he felt about his investment.
Hi Martin,
Add me to your list of satisfied and happy customers!
When I decided to order a flute from you, I’d been playing my Blackwood Flute for over twenty years. I liked and enjoyed the flute, but the weight of the flute was starting to bother me, as I have mentioned, and I was feeling that I wasn’t getting enough from the flute.
I’m glad you suggested the Boxwood for the new flute. It weighs quite literally, half of what my Blackwood flute weighs. Your Boxwood flute feels vibrant when I pick it up, and almost alive in my hands. Playing it gives me such great pleasure. The tone is open and big, it’s louder and can be pushed harder without sacrificing any sound quality.
I spent over fifty years as a fine custom jeweler, 41 with my own business, and I feel the quality of your workmanship is superior. I like how you’ve done the keys and how close they are to the body; elegant and functional.
The Boxwood, itself is very distinctive and is growing more so, as you had said it would. And I love the fact that you had cut the wood branch yourself, so many years ago.
I hope this coming year is generous to you, I feel you’ve enabled me to have a true treasure that I’ll value and play the rest of my life!
Wishing you all the best!!!
Thomas Jones
Thomas Jones playing his Martin Doyle six-key boxwood flute.
Referring to the image above, Thomas wrote, “The instruments behind me are ones that I’ve made. The guitar is a Terz guitar, tuned a minor 3rd higher than a regular guitar. I finished it right after I got your flute. The other is a cross between a dulcimer and a da gamba, tuned an octave lower than a fiddle and it’s bowed. This prompted our webmaster to ask Thomas for some background on his own work. Thomas very kindly replied with some wonderful information about himself and his endeavours over the years. It turns out that Thomas is well placed to assess Martin Doyle’s craftsmanship, as he himself is a master jeweller and a luthier.
Our good friend Anurakta O’Neill recently found a forgotten video clip from Martin Doyle’s trip to New Zealand in December of 2014. Martin was visiting Anurakta at his workshop in Christchurch and he asked Martin if he knew the famous O’Neill’s March. Martin proceeded to play that tune and was then prompted to talk about another tune that he had played earlier in the day called Return from Fingal. This second tune relates to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD and the subsequent death of the famed Irish High King Brian Boru. As usual, Martin brought the magic and it was a lovely wee interlude for those present. Martin is playing one of his own traditional style keyless D flutes that is made from cocus wood.
Martin Doyle would like to offer heart-felt gratitude to his family, staff, friends and customers for continuing to support his efforts to supply the world with quality handcrafted simple system wooden flutes – a task that he has not lost an iota of enthusiasm for since he began this work in 1983.
From Martin and the dedicated team at Martin Doyle Flutes, we wish everyone a happy and fulfilling Christmas 2025. We also offer our very best wishes for the coming New Year 2026. May we all move forward together in the spirit of peace, joy and oneness.
What better way to round out a year than to receive a lovely testimonial from a customer-friend expressing gratitude for a job well done! Two days before Christmas, Martin Doyle received the following words from Leanne Brennan of Kilcoole in County Wicklow.
Dear Martin,
I had been beyond excited waiting for the arrival of my new flute. What I received surpassed all my Expectations. The masterful craftsmanship is evident in every element of this beautiful Boxwood flute. From the feel and the look, to its smooth, clear, deep tonal sound. What a privilege to own and play such a flute, I will be perpetually grateful to have such an instrument in our family made by not only a master at his craft but a complete gentleman.
Thanks so much again for such an incredible flute! I have been “ar neamh” (in heaven) playing away 🙂
Leanne Brennan
Messages like this bring great joy to the heart’s of those that make things from wood with their hands for the betterment of the world – in this case, the flute maker Martin Doyle.
Thank you Leanne.
The gratitude of the heart Is itself the breath-gratitude Of life. ~ Sri Chinmoy
