My guest today is the Irish bow maker, or achetier, Noel Burke.
Born in England to Irish parents, he grew up steeped in Irish traditional music, and upon leaving school studyied woodwind instrument making. However, it was a trip to Paris and a chance encounter that drew him to bow making. He apprenticed under Charles Espey, and Stéphane Thomachot, before setting out on his own path and eventually establishing his workshop in Ireland.
A winner of eight gold medals at international bow making competitions, he now serves on the jury, and is passing on his knowledge to the next generation by taking on his own apprentices.
Curious to find out more about Noel and his journey, the art of French bow making, and the challenges facing it, in early 2026, I visited Noel in his workshop in Carlow, where I began by asking what his first introduction to music was…
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