Avalon Guitars

28/07/2026

!!New dates added by popular demand!!

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧?

NEW DATES ADDED!!

This brand new 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is sure to be of interest, taking you through a journey of 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 and the 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 behind one of Ards and North Down's hidden gem's, Avalon Guitars

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Booking link: https://www.ticketsource.com/avalon-guitars-ltd
Dates & Times of Tours:
Fri 31 Jul 2026, 2:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 12:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 2:00PM

Visitors are invited into the world of Avalon Guitars, based in Newtownards, where wood, skill and sound come together to create something really special.

Meet John McCartin, the celebrated traditional Irish guitar player, and the craftsmen behind the brand as they share the story of how each guitar is crafted. See the journey each instrument takes from carefully chosen timber to a finished piece, then hear and try these world‑class guitars for yourself, and learn why Avalon guitars are played by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Katie Melua and Ricky Warwick.

This engaging experience offers a fascinating and rare glimpse behind the scenes of a world‑renowned maker.

Book this Experience 👉 Booking link: https://www.ticketsource.com/avalon-guitars-ltd
Dates & Times of Tours:
Fri 31 Jul 2026, 2:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 12:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 2:00PM

Ts and Cs apply

Part of the Ards and North Down Borough Council 2026/27 programme.

📷 Images: Ricky Parker Photography

Culture - Ards and North Down | Visit Belfast | Discover Northern Ireland | www.whatsonni.com

~ visitardsandnorthdown

27/07/2026

Andy McKee on a beautiful nylon string, spruce/rosewood Avalon with a 14th fret neck joint and a 46mm nut. Andy McKee

21/07/2026

Creativity Crafted into Every Avalon

Every Avalon guitar begins with a creative vision and a carefully considered choice of tonewoods, materials and design details.

From selecting beautifully figured woods for the back and sides to matching the soundboard, neck, binding and decorative appointments, every element is chosen for its contribution to tone, performance and character.

What follows is many hours of intricate handcraftsmanship. Shaping, voicing, sanding, binding, finishing and final set-up are all completed with patience and precision by Avalon’s skilled craftspeople in Northern Ireland.

The result is more than a beautifully made instrument. It is a unique combination of creativity, natural materials and human craftsmanship—built to inspire for generations.

Photos Courtesy of Ricky Parker

20/07/2026

Two Distinct 12-String Voices from Avalon

Avalon’s first 12-string model brings together two beautiful expressions of acoustic guitar making.

The first is crafted entirely from Brazilian Mahogany, using timber from Avalon’s extraordinary 135-year-old stock discovered outside Seville. The result is a warm, balanced and characterful voice, with the natural richness and resonance that only exceptional tonewood can deliver.

For players seeking a more traditional 12-string sound, Avalon also offers a model featuring Indian Rosewood back and sides with a select spruce top—delivering clarity, projection and the shimmering harmonic depth associated with this iconic instrument.

Two 12-string voices. Two distinct personalities. Both handcrafted by Avalon in Northern Ireland.

18/07/2026

Discover the Avalon small-body, guitar-sized bouzouki.

The model featured in this video combines Indian rosewood back and sides with a Sitka spruce top, producing a clear, articulate tone with excellent projection, sparkling highs and a warm, balanced low end.

For players seeking even more richness and depth, it is also available with a cedar top, adding extra warmth, complexity and responsiveness.

Compact, comfortable and full of character, this is a bouzouki designed to inspire.

If you're visiting Tradefest, the Belfast Fleadh and just on vacation in Ireland, drop into the factory in Newtownards to test them. Made in Ireland - Sold to the World!

17/07/2026

Would you like to know how a guitar is made?

NEW DATES ADDED!!

This brand new 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is sure to be of interest, taking you through a journey of 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 and the 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 behind one of Ards and North Down's hidden gem's, Avalon Guitars

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Booking link: https://www.ticketsource.com/avalon-guitars-ltd
Dates & Times of Tours:
Fri 31 Jul 2026, 2:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 12:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 2:00PM

Visitors are invited into the world of Avalon Guitars, based in Newtownards, where wood, skill and sound come together to create something really special.
Meet John McCartin, the celebrated traditional Irish guitar player, and the craftsmen behind the brand as they share the story of how each guitar is crafted. See the journey each instrument takes from carefully chosen timber to a finished piece, then hear and try these world‑class guitars for yourself, and learn why Avalon guitars are played by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Katie Melua and Ricky Warwick.

This engaging experience offers a fascinating and rare glimpse behind the scenes of a world‑renowned maker.
Book this Experience 👉 Booking link: https://www.ticketsource.com/avalon-guitars-ltd

Dates & Times of Tours:
Fri 31 Jul 2026, 2:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 12:00PM
Thu 6 Aug 2026, 2:00PM
Ts and Cs apply

Part of the Ards and North Down Borough Council 2026/27 programme.

📷 Images: Ricky Parker Photography

Culture - Ards and North Down | Visit Belfast | Discover Northern Ireland | www.whatsonni.com
~ visitardsandnorthdown See less

16/07/2026

Every Avalon guitar begins with the wood.

Long before an instrument reaches the hands of our luthiers, careful consideration goes into sourcing the right tonewoods for its sound, strength and character.

Each piece is selected for its grain, weight, stability and tonal potential. The woods are then carefully seasoned, inspected and matched before the building process begins.

From spruce and cedar soundboards to mahogany, rosewood and maple backs and sides, every choice plays a part in the voice and personality of the finished guitar.

This attention to detail ensures that an Avalon is not simply beautifully made — it is built from the very beginning to inspire.

Crafted with care. Selected with purpose. Made in Newtownards.

Photography Courtesy of Rick Parker

15/07/2026

Coming to Belfast for TradFest or the Fleadh?

Our new Avalon Tenor and Bouzouki instruments are now available, just in time for two of the biggest traditional music events of the year.

With more than 800,000 visitors expected across Belfast and Newtownards, why not make the short trip to the Avalon factory?

Book an Avalon factory tour, see how our instruments are made and take the opportunity to try our full range of guitars, including 12-strings, tenors, bouzoukis and baritones.

We look forward to welcoming musicians and music lovers from around the world.

13/07/2026

Looking for a lefty? At Avalon we got you covered.

Just before the holidays David picked up his new left-handed Avalon. Custom built for him, the team at Avalon can build lefties, change neck widths, do custom inlays and much more.

DM us [email protected] to find out more.

Factory Photos Courtesy: Ricky Parker Photography