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Thread: CBOMS in Ireland

  1. #1
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default CBOMS in Ireland

    Hello everyone!
    I haven't posted here for years and years. But - I'm looking to upgrade my octave mandolin and see that there's very little info online although there should be loads of builders in Ireland - or am I wrong?

    Can everyone brainstorm me with luthiers and dealers of bouzoukis and octave mandolins please? BUT they have to be in Ireland or possibly Northern Ireland. I'm mainly looking for octave mandolins for the smaller size but if I run into a good short neck bouzouki that will be fine too. I'm willing to pay what I need for a good instrument.

    Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    I don't know of any Irish builders, the closest I know of is Nigel Forster, who is a member here, but he's in England. Might I ask why does it have to be in Ireland? And what price range are you shooting for?
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  3. #3
    Mandolin tragic Graham McDonald's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    There is an active Irish Bouzouki page on Facebook, managed by an Irish bouzouki player and with several Irish builders active contributors. That should give you a start.

    Cheers

  4. #4
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    What about Frank Tate? He's in Dublin:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/m...aker-1.3864724
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  5. #5
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Mandolin Cafe has lists of builders, so the listing for Ireland is probably a good place to start.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin...search=Ireland
    David A. Gordon

  6. #6
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar View Post
    I don't know of any Irish builders, the closest I know of is Nigel Forster, who is a member here, but he's in England. Might I ask why does it have to be in Ireland? And what price range are you shooting for?
    Think that Nigel has moved to Australia...

  7. #7
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar View Post
    I don't know of any Irish builders, the closest I know of is Nigel Forster, who is a member here, but he's in England. Might I ask why does it have to be in Ireland? And what price range are you shooting for?
    Simply because I live in Ireland, and I want to easily be able to go and test play bouzoukis before deciding to buy. I'm interested in something up to €2500 but can go beyond that (not more than €3000) if all goes well and if I find that perfect instrument.

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham McDonald View Post
    There is an active Irish Bouzouki page on Facebook, managed by an Irish bouzouki player and with several Irish builders active contributors. That should give you a start.

    Cheers
    Thanks for this! I actually haven't even thought of looking at Facebook. I'll definitely check it out!

    Quote Originally Posted by Dagger Gordon View Post
    Mandolin Cafe has lists of builders, so the listing for Ireland is probably a good place to start.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin...search=Ireland
    Thanks but when I've looked there, most builders have inactive websites and I haven't found any info online other than one or two (that I'll check out a bit more).

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    What about Frank Tate? He's in Dublin:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/m...aker-1.3864724
    Looks interesting, will check him out!

    I've found one that isn't too far away, in county Kerry. Cahersiveen mandolins, doesn anyone know about him?

  8. #8
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Have a look at Moloneys music shop in Galway.
    They seem to sell instruments made by a couple of local Irish luthiers plus some by a Portuguese maker, which look quite good value on the face of it.

    https://www.moloneymusic.com/Product...BouzoukiFamily

    http://orainne.ie/instruments/

    https://brianwplofthouse.wordpress.com/
    David A. Gordon

  9. #9
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Dagger Gordon View Post
    Have a look at Moloneys music shop in Galway.
    They seem to sell instruments made by a couple of local Irish luthiers plus some by a Portuguese maker, which look quite good value on the face of it.

    https://www.moloneymusic.com/Product...BouzoukiFamily

    http://orainne.ie/instruments/

    https://brianwplofthouse.wordpress.com/
    Thank you! I've saved the link to Moloney already, looks interesting. The other two were new to me. I've also found one that is actually in my area, so I'll definitely contact him.

  10. #10

    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Hi, you could try Joe Foley in Dublin, great instruments or

    Macdara Ó Faoláin Musical Instruments on Facebook

  11. #11
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Yeah, I know Paul Evans, the builder of Siveen mandolins, very well. Lovely guy, makes great instruments. Big into using torrified tops. He'd be a great person to talk to.

    Also as others suggested, Frank Tate and Macdara Ó Faoláin

  12. #12
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Smurts View Post
    Hi, you could try Joe Foley in Dublin, great instruments or

    Macdara Ó Faoláin Musical Instruments on Facebook

    Thanks! Is Foley still around? I've been looking all around the internet for him (but again, not on Facebook), having owned one of his bouzoukis in the past. I sold it because it was too large and chubby for me, but I remember it was a very good instrument. If there are smaller sized Foley bouzoukis I'd love to see them.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    I've found this thread to be very interesting, highlighting Irish makers whose work is not often discussed here (and indeed those who are more familiar to me like Joe Foley). It appears to be exactly what Susanne was looking for.

    Tell me more about Macdara Ó Faoláin, please. From what I can make out, he is quite a young man who already seems to be making very decent looking instruments and is a pretty good player. I'd never heard of him, I'm afraid.

    I am impressed by everything I've seen from all these makers actually. It's good to see this.

    And don't forget Paul Doyle.
    http://pauldoyleinstruments.com/home.php
    David A. Gordon

  14. #14
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    I agree - interesting thread indeed and I found some good options - especially the one in Nohoval that is less than an hour from where I live. Siveen's instruments look gorgeous and he is close enough, I'll contact them both. Macdara Ó Faoláin seems to be in Waterford, also in the south of Ireland.
    I ran into Paul Doyle's website yesterday - I had nearly forgotten about him.

  15. #15
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Dagger Gordon View Post
    I've found this thread to be very interesting, highlighting Irish makers whose work is not often discussed here (and indeed those who are more familiar to me like Joe Foley). It appears to be exactly what Susanne was looking for.

    Tell me more about Macdara Ó Faoláin, please. From what I can make out, he is quite a young man who already seems to be making very decent looking instruments and is a pretty good player. I'd never heard of him, I'm afraid.

    I am impressed by everything I've seen from all these makers actually. It's good to see this.

    And don't forget Paul Doyle.
    http://pauldoyleinstruments.com/home.php
    https://www.facebook.com/mofmusicalinstruments/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LMwi7DyXqU&t=67s

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycL_-hjJQNM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF531Q2sVMw

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4GBpsl0mWk

    I don't know him personally, but I know a lot of people who do and know a lot of people who have worked with him. Heard nothing but great things. Very talented young man with a huge passion for the music. I really like his backing on Pádraic Mac Donnchadha's album:

    https://paraic.bandcamp.com/

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  17. #16

    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Yes, Joe Foley is still making instruments, he wouldnt have much of an online presence however! I can pass you his phone number if you wish

  18. #17
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    I've got to say though,if I was looking for a new bouzouki, I might extend my search to Spain ...
    https://www.facebook.com/ruben.bada....31216978/?t=15
    David A. Gordon

  19. #18

    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    I was in Moloney's shop in Galway a few weeks ago. Many great guitars, one interesting mandolin. Several octave mandolins, nothing I would go out of my way for. The Portuguese instruments he sells are good quality budget instruments, but nothing to write home about. Nice shop overall, though.
    Paul Doyle is a better bet.

    Emmanuel Stone is on the West coast of Clare. I don't know if he's built a bouzouki/OM, but he's a great luthier!

  20. #19
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Smurts View Post
    Yes, Joe Foley is still making instruments, he wouldnt have much of an online presence however! I can pass you his phone number if you wish
    That would be great!

  21. #20
    Registered User Francis J's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Paddy Cleere in Kilkenny is well worth a look Susanne, he's on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Paddycleereinstruments/

  22. #21
    Mandolin enthusiast Susanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Francis J View Post
    Paddy Cleere in Kilkenny is well worth a look Susanne, he's on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Paddycleereinstruments/
    His instrument really look good, thank you! Hadn't heard his name before.

  23. #22

    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Not quite sure how to pm you his phone number, I might need to add you as a friend?

    Paddy Cleere is a new name for me, I’ll check him out

  24. #23
    Registered User Nick Gellie's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Susanne,

    I highly recommend Ruben Bada's bouzouki. I have an X-braced small bodied bouzouki which is wonderfully rich and varied in tone. Ruben is on Facebook so you contact him via messenger. He also has a basic web-site. He could make you one within 3-4 months. Yes Dagger Gordon is right when he mentioned Ruben above.
    Nic Gellie

  25. #24
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by Smurts View Post
    Not quite sure how to pm you his phone number, I might need to add you as a friend?

    Paddy Cleere is a new name for me, I’ll check him out
    If you click on the user's name - which should be just to the left of this post you get a pop up menu. One of the options there is Private Message

  26. #25

    Default Re: CBOMS in Ireland

    Quote Originally Posted by OneChordTrick View Post
    If you click on the user's name - which should be just to the left of this post you get a pop up menu. One of the options there is Private Message
    Thank you!

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