Mairéad Hickey

Celebrated Irish violinist Mairéad Hickey is acclaimed for her captivating expression, soaring tone and fearless virtuosity.  Her natural ability to communicate sincerely, with beauty and integrity, entrances audiences worldwide. Her Carnegie Hall debut was described as ‘…magical, penetrating to the heart and soul of the music.’ (New York Epoch Times)

Mairéad was the concertmaster of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire from 2021 to 2023.  She is frequently invited to perform as guest concertmaster in orchestras including Orchestra National du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestre de Paris, BBC Ulster Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia and Orquesta Simfónica del Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona.

Her love of chamber music led her to co-found the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in 2016 in her native Cork, of which she is Artistic Director. Mairéad also plays traditional Irish music and has won eight world Irish fiddle titles.

Mairéad currently plays a 1702 Giovanni Tononi violin.