Thomas Molineux (luthier)

Molineux likely began a formal apprenticeship around the age of 14, which would have taken at least 7 years to complete, as was required by the Carpenters' Guild of the City of Dublin in those days. Based on his earliest identified instrument, his apprenticeship probably took place some time between 1710 and 1739 in an area of Dublin then known as Christchurch Yard (now par of the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral). There are several violin makers recorded as working in this part of Dublin during these years that Molineux could have apprenticed with. One possible candidate is John Neal, who was an active instrument maker and music seller in Christchurch Lane between 1701–1721 and Christchurch Yard between 1721–1740.[9] He is considered the first known maker of violins in Ireland.[10][11] Another candidate is Thomas Dunn, who was working as a violin maker in Christchurch Lane in 1740.[12] Unfortunately, neither of their violins are known to survive and so it is not possible to make a connection based on the style of their instruments.

Molineux's earliest identified instrument is a violin dated 1739, described in Sotheby's 1973 Catalogue of Important Musical Instruments as "an Irish Division Viol".[13][14] It is presumed, however, that Molineux was active earlier than this date.[15] He worked in an area of Christchurch Yard known as 'Hell' due to an oak wood carving of the devil above the arched entrance.[3] Despite its name, Hell was said to be an attractive place consisting of toy shops, taverns and boarding houses.[16] It was also an area that was to become synonymous with violin making in 18th-century Dublin, attracting other notable luthier families such as the Neal's, Dunn's, Ward's and Perry's.

It has been proposed by some historians that Molineux may have been the teacher of famous Dublin luthier, Thomas Perry, although the style of their instruments is quite different.[17][7] Perry's earlier instruments are considered Stainer-like in style,[18] which does not fit with the Italian style of Molineux's instruments. Perry and his father, John, were working as luthiers in Christchurch Yard by 1760, if not earlier, and so it is possible that Molineux knew and interacted with both of them at the very least.[19] Another theory is that Molineux was a teacher to George Ward, who is more likely to have been Perry's teacher based on the similarities between their instruments. Ward also started his business out of Christchurch Yard and so it is quite possible that he learned his trade from Molineux. Furthermore, Ward branded his instruments at the back in the same manner as Molineux. Molineux is said to have had a son, Martyn, who also because a well-known violin maker in Dublin.[15] It is possible that Martyn apprenticed with his father, or with another luthier in the area. Molineux died on 25 January of 1757.[2] His obituary was recorded in Faulkner's Dublin Journal and read "Death: In Christchurch-yard, Mr. Thomas Molineaux, Fiddle-maker.".[20][5]