Lagan Lutherie was established in 2010 but its origins extend back 13 years.

 

Sam Irwin began teaching lutherie at a technical college in belfast in 1998. The classes began modestly with 6 people in attendance but grew year on year almost entirely on word of mouth and reputation. Eventually 50+ students were attending per year making acoustic, classical and electric guitars, as well as mandolins, bouzoukis, harps and lyres.

 

Demand was so great that intensive courses were put in place during the summer months when the college was usually closed. However in 2009, changes to courses and budget constraints meant it became no longer viable to offer a high quality instrument making course at the college.