Now best known for its Stag party antics, Dublin's Temple Bar was once the Cultural Quarter of 18th Century Dublin. Top musicians came from all over Europe to perform here. And of course, musicians need instruments which presented a great business opportunity for highly-skilled Irish musical instrument makers. We still have a thriving community of craftsmen which produces some of the finest examples of world-class musical instruments. 

Newstalk's documentary strand 'Different Voices' on Saturday mornings at 7am, presents a 5-part series 'Hands & Hearts of the Music Makers'.  Producer  Nuala Macklin invites us to join her on her mission to meet some of Ireland's finest master craftsmen in their works; see all about the process of musical instrument making and enjoy some wonderful music. 

We'll hear from Connor Ruiseal (Wicklow) – Violin maker and Noel Bourke (Carlow) – bow maker; Colm O'Meachair (Rathfarnham, Dublin) - harp maker; Eamonn Cotter - flute maker and musician; George Lowden (Downpatrick, Co. Down) – guitar maker; and classical pipe organ builders Kenneth Jones and Derek Byrne (Wicklow).

We'll hear some sparkling music from Performing Artistes including - Paul Brady(Guitar), Catherine Leonard(Violin & Bow) Deirdre Macklin(Classical Pipe Organ) Aine Ni Dubhghaill(Irish Harp) John Feely(Classical Guitar) Annemarie Twomey(Violin & Bow), Madeleine Doherty, The Ivy Ensemble and DIT Student - Fiona Gryson(Harp).

The series is part funded by the BAI (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) Sound & Vision scheme.

Sound Assistant was Lochlainn Harte.

Part One - Violin & Bow

Played well, the effects of string instrument can have a physical effect of literally tugging at our heart strings. This can't happen of course without the often overlooked instrument – The Bow. In the first of our series of The Hands & Hearts of the Music Maker, Nuala Macklin travels to Wicklow and Carlow.

Part Two - Harp

Nuala Macklin treads down a well worn path to the workshop of Ireland"s finest Harp Maker in the courtyard of MarleyPark in Rathfarnham in Dublin. 

Part Three - Flute

The Hands & Hearts of the Music Makers brings us to Bantry in West Cork and to Killmalay near Ennis in County Clare.

Part Four - Organ 

Known as The King of instruments and for a very good reason. In the 4th and penultimate programme in our Hands & Hearts of the Music Maker's series, Nuala Macklin brings us to Wicklow and the town of Monaghan in search of some extraordinary music. 

Part Five - The Guitar 

Are You an accomplished Air guitarist? In today's programme – the 5th in our Hands & Hearts of the Music Maker's series, you're in for a treat when we head Northwards to Downpatrick in County Down.

The Guitar will broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm Saturday December 1st from 7-8am. 

Pictured: Nuala Macklin