Carlow piano business to feature on RTÉ show

RENOWENED Carlow piano business Holland Pianos will feature in RTÉ’s new six-part series titled Museum of Me on Sunday.

Based just outside Carlow town in Cloghna, the seventh-generation family business, which is Ireland’s longest established piano specialist, provides a one-stop shop for all piano needs, such as sales, tuning, restoration and hire.

It features in the upcoming episode, having been selected to complete a full restoration of a piano belonging to Kodaline front man Steve Garrigan. The show, which is presented by Dermot Whelan, explores the lives of well-known Irish personalities through treasured possessions that hold special significance in their lives.

Owner of Holland Pianos, Alexandra Holland, said it was both a “professional honour” and a proud moment for the family business to be asked to restore Mr Garrigan’s piano.

“When we received the call to appear on the show, we were absolutely delighted,” she said.

“To be entrusted with an instrument that holds such personal and creative significance for Steve Garrigan was a tremendous privilege. Every piano tells a story, and Steve’s piano carries years of memories, music and inspiration throughout his songwriting career,” she added.

The restoration project showcased the specialist skills that have been passed down through seven generations of the Holland family, with input from all members of the team.

The restoration and refinishing of the piano was undertaken by renowned restoration specialist and registered piano technician Adrian Walsh, whose craftsmanship ensured the instrument retained its authenticity.

Also involved in the restoration were Alison Holland Walsh and Liam Quinn, who managed the dismantling and rebuilding of the piano’s intricate action mechanism and internal workings, while Alexander Holland Walsh cleaned, repaired and installed the piano keys.

“Every member of the team brought a unique skill set to the project,” said Alexandra. “Restoring a piano of this significance requires expert craftmanship, patience and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of the finished result and delighted that Steve’s reaction to the unveiling confirmed that all our hard work had been worthwhile.” 

 Following the extensive restoration and rebuilding process, the final stage was to tune the instrument, which fell to Alexandra, who is a master piano tuner.

Using techniques that have been refined though generations, Alexandra tuned the instrument by ear to international concert standard, a practice that is becoming uncommon as more people rely on electric tuners.

Alexandra said that the national exposure of being featured in the programme shines a welcome spotlight on traditional crafts and practices that can often go unnoticed.

“A lot of what we do happens quietly behind closed doors. People see the finished piano, but they don’t always see the weeks and months of restoration, rebuilding and careful attention that goes into the bringing an instrument back to life,” she said.

“Programmes like Museum of Me bring the audience into our workplace and behind the scenes and gives people the opportunity to see the skillset that’s involved,” she added.

Tune in to Museum of Me on Sunday 14 June at 8.30pm on RTÉ1.