Celebrated Irish violinist Mairéad Hickey is renowned for her captivating expression, soaring tone and fearless virtuosity. Her natural ability to communicate sincerely with beauty and integrity, entrances audiences worldwide.

As a soloist Mairéad has performed with the RTÉ Irish National Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Württembergisches Kammerorchester, Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Mainz, Kremerata Baltica and Camerata Ireland amongst many others in some of the major halls around the world. Her Carnegie Hall debut was described as ‘…magical, penetrating to the heart and soul of the music.’ (New York Epoch Times)

A passionate chamber musician, Mairéad has performed with Sir András Schiff, Barry Douglas, Tabea Zimmermann, Mate Bekavac, Irena Grafenauer, Alexander Lonquich, Boris Berezovsky and the Vanbrugh Quartet. Mairéad has been invited to perform in international festivals including West Cork, Clandeboye, Mantova, Grachtenfestival and Chamber Music Connects the World Kronberg. She co-founded the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in Cork.

Mairéad was Irish NCH Young Musician of the Year 2010 – 201 and won third prize at the 2016 Louis Spohr Competition, Germany.

Born in 1996, From 2003 to 2014 she studied with Adrian Petcu at the CIT Cork School of Music, Ireland. She is now studying with Mihaela Martin at Kronberg Academy, sponsored by the Hilmar Kopper Stipendium.

Highlights of her upcoming season include a performance in Wigmore Hall, London with Sir András Schiff and in Frankfurt with the HR-Sinfonie Orchester and Christoph Eschenbach.

Mairéad also plays traditional Irish music and has won eight world Irish fiddle titles. Mairéad currently plays a Giovanni Tononi violin, kindly loaned to her through the Beares International Violin Society.