Josephine Guedan, Violin Maker

Josephine was born in France and has always loved working with her hands. As a child, she used to build models of famous buildings out of cardboard and wood. She also played the violin from an early age. Studying the craft of violin-making and restoration seemed like the perfect combination of her two hobbies. After finishing school, Josephine went to study violin-making in England. She then spent some time in the USA and Canada, until finally moving to Ireland with her family in 2007.

She set up her own business in Bandon, in West Cork. 

Josephine always knew that she didn’t want to end up working in an office job. Her heart lay in a career with more emphasis on manual and technical work. Josephine is hugely proud of having guided her business through the economic downturn, and faces the challenges that come with being self-employed head-on. 

Being a strong woman means being independent and capable in all sort of ways. It means being there for my family when needed but still being able to have a professional life.

Photo: Beta Bajgart