Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Jul 20, 2026
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Are you thinking about buying a handpan? Are you wondering if there are any manufacturers of this percussion instrument in Ireland? Is there a professional or artisan handcrafting this sound sculpture near Dublin?
I’ve been passionate about the handpan and the professionals who work around it for over 10 years now. After extensive research, it turns out I know the one and only handpan maker in Ireland, and I’ll tell you all about him in this article.
Currently, the only company that makes handpans in Ireland is McCarthy Instruments, run by Jake McCarthy and located in Dublin.
So, as you read this article, you’ll discover:
- The history of Ireland’s only handpan manufacturer
- The types of instruments he offers
- His prices and the lead time required to get one
That way, you’ll know right away whether this handpan maker could be the right fit for you or whether you should consider another option.
Now, it’s worth taking a closer look at McCarthy Instruments.
McCarthy Instruments, Ireland’s only handpan manufacturer
Behind McCarthy Instruments is Jake McCarthy, a Dublin-based artisan with an unconventional background. He began his career at the Irish Concertina Company in Dublin, a company specializing in the manufacture of concertinas, a type of small hexagonal accordion typical of Ireland and the United Kingdom. It was mainly at this company that Jake McCarthy completed his first projects in the field of instrument making. Later, in 2016, he founded the TUNG Drum Company, which specializes in crafting tongue drums from exotic woods. Some models, called TUNGA Drums, also stand out because they are made from both wood and metal. You can hear one of his creations in the video below:
It was finally in 2018 that Jake McCarthy turned his attention to crafting handpans, gradually moving away from wooden tongue drums. It took him two full years to reach a satisfying level, at which point he changed the name of his company to McCarthy Instruments and began offering handpans for sale starting in 2020.
Today, the artisan offers models measuring about 21 in (53 cm) in diameter, crafted from nitrided steel, stainless steel, or Ember Steel. The company’s signature feature is a rim, the part surrounding the edges of the handpan, made of hardwood cut from sustainably sourced timber in the United Kingdom, which gives each piece a unique visual personality. In terms of scales, McCarthy Instruments offers both standard major and minor tunings and custom creations, with the option to add notes under the shell (bottom notes). He has also developed a “Songbird” series, designed to make composing melodies easy, and he doesn’t shy away from experimenting with “concept” series (including a scale named Isengard, engraved in the language of Mordor, for fans of The Lord of the Rings).
Price-wise, expect to pay around $1,510 for an entry-level 8-note model and several thousand for instruments with many notes in more exotic keys. The stated production time is 2 to 3 months, with a 10% deposit required at the time of order. For example, this 20-note model in E major is priced at $3,010, excluding shipping and any import or customs fees if you live outside the European Union. You can hear it here:
Choose a high-quality handpan that’s available right away
The world of Irish handpans can be summed up in one name: McCarthy Instruments. It’s not a crowded field, but it is a serious one. Jake McCarthy has transformed traditional luthier craftsmanship into a small brand exported to every corner of the globe, with nitrided steel, stainless steel, or Ember Steel shells and custom scales. This article has introduced you to the only handpan manufacturer based in Ireland.
However, the prices and production lead times certainly won’t suit everyone. That’s why I personally recommend Instruments du Monde, which ships worldwide and offers handpans with excellent acoustics at moderate prices, available immediately. Take, for example, this handcrafted handpan model, which also features a beautiful design and 9 notes tuned to D Kurd.
Make the right choice and get this handpan by clicking on the image below:
Now that you’ve taken these tips into account, do you know the difference between a Hang drum and a handpan? I invite you to find out in this interesting article that explores the historical roots of this sound sculpture.
