My father Desmond started Thornton Pianos in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 when his previous employer ceased trading after a fire in late 1967.  With a passion for Pianos  and over 20 years experience gained in Pigotts of Grafton Street he took the courageous step to open his own Dublin piano shop  while most of his former work colleagues went into other piano companies, emigrated or left the trade altogether.