Irish pianist scoops top prize

Sophie Cashell, from Balbriggan in north County Dublin, beat hundreds of hopefuls to the top prize of a recording contract.
Sophie, who has been playing the piano since she was just five-years-old, said: “I’m just delighted to win. I was up against fantastic competition and to be here is an honour.
“I started playing the violin when I was four-years-old mainly because my siblings are musicians. When I was five I began piano and realised that I preferred it.”
Sophie, who is attending the Royal Academy of Music in London, also scooped first place earlier this year at the Mabel Swainson Pianoforte Award at the Dublin Feis Ceoil. She also headlined her own recital at the National Concert Hall.