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Maynooth University
Minister Catherine Martin at Government Buildings for Budget 2021
Opening doors for the arts Cabinet Minister and Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin is committed to her background in music and the arts – and to the friendships made at Maynooth University
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atherine Martin is not unique in switching lanes from teaching to a career in politics: the current Dáil has 19 teachers and former principals. But not many cabinet ministers can claim to have busked on Grafton Street as a student – and with renowned harpist Laoise Kelly, who also studied music at Maynooth University in the early ‘90s.
In another life, Martin’s studies might well have led to a very different world as a professional Chamber singer, pianist and composer. “I guess I knew I wanted to study music. I loved English literature and the Irish language, but music was my passion,” she explains, outlining why Maynooth was her university of choice. “I did a lot of research and was told that wherever Professor Gerard Gillen was – this was the place to go. That’s why I choose Maynooth for music. The music department is in such a beautiful campus. There was a village atmosphere, I lived on Parsons Street at the time, it was very handy and close to everything.” Emeritus Prof Gerard Gillen is a celebrated organist and expert in Church music, and was a former Head of the Music Department.
