Festival Exhibition 2021

Sadly, due to the pandemic, there will be no Exhibition events for the 2021 Festival

An international exhibition of fine contemporary violin and bow making runs throughout the festival and displays instruments and bows from some of the leading makers in the field. The exhibition is comprised of both baroque and modern violin, viola, cello and double bass and baroque, transitional and modern bows for the quartet.

The makers will be present, some will be working at their benches and all will be available to meet and to discuss their work. All of the instruments and bows in the exhibition are available for trial and most are available for sale. An instrument and bow maintenance and repair service will also be available throughout the festival.

Violin Talks

Violin Talks are held alongside the exhibition in The Old Cinema, Bantry. All talks are free.

Events are coming soon.

The Makers

Violin Makers
John Cockburn

John Cockburn

Violin Makers

John Cockburn’s passion for violin making arose from lifelong obsessions with acoustics, craftsmanship, and music of all genres. Following stints...

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Bertrand Galen

Bertrand Galen

Violin Makers

Bertrand Galen learnt his craft at the French national school of violin making in Mirecourt, the Ecole Nationale de Lutherie,...

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David Munro

David Munro

Violin Makers

David Munro makes violins and violas for professional orchestral musicians, chamber music players and soloists. His instruments have recorded chamber...

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Conor Russell

Conor Russell

Violin Makers

Conor Russell was born in Dublin and studied violin making at the Cork School of Music from 1985 to 1988....

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Bow Makers
Noel Burke

Noel Burke

Bow Makers

Noel Burke began his bow making career in 1989 as apprentice to Charles Espey in Seattle Washington and later to...

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Niall Fleming

Niall Fleming

Bow Makers

In 2010 Niall completed the violin-making course in Newark. During his final year, Niall worked part time in Stringers violin...

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Arts Council - funding music
Crespo Foundation
Fáilte Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way
Cork County Council
Pure Cork
RTE Lyric FM
Creative Places West Cork Islands
Irish Examiner
Maritime Hotel
IMRO - Irish Music Rights Organisation