Winner of the Thornton Pianos competition announced

What an incredible prize, just in time for Christmas.

After much deliberation and consideration, it was announced today that Elaine McDonnell of Skerries Co. Dublin, is the lucky winner of the stunning Challen upright piano. Niall Stokes and Alan Thornton of Thornton Pianos announced Elaine as the carefully selected winner on Facebook Live this morning.

"The competition saw a huge number of entries. It was our biggest competition of the year and what's obvious is that there's a huge amount of interest in pianos, and piano playing," Niall Stokes said of the competition, "also that there is a fantastic amount of interesting talent out there, especially young people coming through who have bitten the music bug and are doing great things themselves - whether its at home, in school, or in studios."

Elaine entered the competition on behalf of her 13 year old daughter Muireann, who previously represented Ireland in the Junior Eurovision at age 11 and has opened for acts such as Aslan and Mundy. Muireann was ecstatic at the news she had won the €2,500 piano, as she had been saving up money she earns from her musicianship to eventually purchase one herself.

Thornton Pianos teamed up with Hot Press back in November for this competition to celebrate over 50 years in business. Made in 1968, the piano is as old as Thornton Pianos and was the choice brand for The Beatles in Abbey road in the 60's.

A big congratulations to Muireann and Elaine, who are sure to give this beautiful instrument a good home.