Fionnuala Sherry


Fionnuala Sherry is an Irish violinist and vocalist. She makes up half of the New Instrumental duo Secret Garden, which won the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with the predominantly instrumental piece "Nocturne".

Background

Sherry's violin playing started at the age of eight. She graduated with honours from the College of Music of Trinity College, Dublin having moved to Dublin at the age of fifteen in order to continue her musical education. Her professional career started with a ten-year stint as a member of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Sherry has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including The Chieftains, Sinéad O'Connor, Van Morrison, Chris de Burgh, Bono, Wet Wet Wet, and Westlife. She has also recorded several Hollywood film scores with the Irish Film Orchestra, including A Room with a View, and The Mask.
Her instrument of choice, for both live and studio work, is an English John Edward Betts violin from 1790, with a Hill bow.

Other media

Sherry has written and presented a musical children's television show on Irish national television, based on a concept she invented herself.
In 2010 she released a solo album Songs from Before in Ireland. The album is being released in the United States and Canada by Hearts of Space Records in the Spring of 2011.

Personal life

She married Bernard Doyle, a businessman, in 2010.

Injury

Sherry broke both her arms after tripping while walking in Dublin in February 2015. She said it may have serious implications for her musical career, but she is confident of returning to full fitness.