Maria adds string to her bow with historic violin

A PROMISING violinist has won an historic instrument to help further her career.

Maria Ryan, from Kilkenny, a past pupil of the Cork School of Music (CSM), will have exclusive use of the Heineken Ireland Violin for the next four years after winning the brewing giant’s competition, which is designed to help foster and nurture exceptional young musicians.

The George Channot violin, which dates from the early 1800s, was purchased by Heineken in 1985 and is worth in the region of €100,000.