Martin Leahy is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter who has worked with some of Ireland’s greatest musicians, including Christy Moore, Declan Sinnott and John Spillane. In recent years, he’s gained national and international attention for his songwriting and activism, particularly his song “Everyone Should Have A Home”, which has become a rallying cry for housing justice. Martin has had the honour of Christy Moore covering his song “Snowflakes” on Christy’s latest album called “A Terrible Beauty”

He released his song, “Everyone Should Have A Home”, in April 2022. He has been travelling from Cork to Dublin every week to protest outside Dáil Éireann by singing his song since May 2022. He has performed at all the major Cost Of Living Crisis protests in Dublin and in Cork including the recent Raise The Roof Protest in Dublin. His song and protest has been featured on RTE News, Al Jazeera News, American public radio npr, Dutch, German and French TV national broadcasters, The Guardian, The World.Org, The Irish Times (front cover) The Irish Examiner,  Irish Independent, Hot Press, Echo, Joe.ie, Virgin Media TV,  TG4 etc.. “Everyone Should Have A Home” has also been covered multiple times by different artists as a means to raise awareness of the Irish housing crisis. The song is also mentioned in the latest edition of Rory Hearne’s book on the housing crisis called ‘Gaffs”.

The guy who gave the crisis a soundtrack  – The Guardian

Martin has had the honour recently of Christy Moore covering “Snowflakes” on his album and at his live gigs. The song is related to Martin’s own experience of social media trolling. Martin joined Christy at Vicar Street and The Cork Opera House recently where they both performed “Everyone Should Have A Home” and “Snowflakes”.

He also has written a number of songs in solidarity with the people of Palestine and performs weekly at the Cork City protests and has also performed at the national march in Dublin. His song “Palestine” has been shared multiple times including Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye and also by the activist and musician Lowkey.

Martin has been playing as a session musician on the Irish music scene for about 25 years. Along with his recent successes as a singer/songwriter he has worked with songwriters and musicians including John Spillane, Christy Moore (on his No.1 selling album ‘Listen’) Jimmy McCarthy,  Seamus Begley and Jim Murray, Declan Sinnott among many others. He has toured the world with the traditional band North Cregg. An accomplished multi instrumentalist, he has produced many albums including Leah Sohotra, Cormac O Caoimh, and the recent single by John Spillane called Palestine Sunbird.