Conor Russell

I have been making violins, violas and cellos since 1985. From 1991 to 1997 I ran a busy repair workshop  near Dublin, and only managed to make a couple of instruments a year. Then in 1998 I moved home, with a view to doing more makng. So far so good!

I'm married to Anne-Marie Twomey, a violinist, and we have four sons. We live in an old country house in Wicklow, and my workshop is in a restored outbuilding. Beneath the workshop is a room with a brick stove and bread oven. Cheap heat and good pizza; every workshop should have one.

I have an interest in old Irish violins. There was quite a distinct trade in Georgian Dublin, which waned after 1800. There were some very good makers there, and I'm trying to learn more about them.

Every time I meet up with other makers I learn from them, and my weakness for industrial espionage has led me to Maestronet. So here I am.