Miriam Kaczoe from Old Bawn, Tallaght, plays the flute as she rehearses ahead of competing in the Irish Freemason's Young Musician of the Year 2014 at Freemasons' Hall Dublin yesterday. Photo: Steve Humphreys

The Freemasons may be a secret society, but there's no secret about the young musical talents they have helped launch upon the world.

This year marks the fifth Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year Competition.

The competition has quickly become one of the leading music competitions in the country.

Among those taking part was Hannah Miller (20) from Fuddletown, Co Wexford, playing the French horn and Hugh Murray (26) from Douglas, Co Cork, on the violin.

Miriam Kaczor (19) is from Poland originally but is now living in Old Bawn, Dublin, and began playing the flute at the age of nine and after moving to Ireland, received a scholarship to study part-time at the Royal Irish Academy.

The results of the competition will be announced tomorrow, with a first prize of €5,000.

Irish Independent