[3] He was a brother and apprentice to Dublin luthier, Thomas Perry, and a protégé of the Ormonde family of Kilkenny Castle.

[1] Joseph Perry, who was thought to be a cousin of James's, was another highly regarded luthier from Dublin, whose work has been compared to that of English maker Benjamin Banks.

Furthermore, the surrounding area of Christ Church, where James would have grown up, was synonymous with violin making in 18th century Dublin, boasting great makers such as Thomas Molineux, George Ward, as well as some of the earliest-known Dublin makers such as John Neale, Thomas Dunne and Dennis Connor.

On August 18, 1781, James posted an advertisement in Finn's Leinster Journal to help spread the word of his new business in Kilkenny which read: To the LOVERS of MUSIC.

On July 31, 1792, Perry posted another advertisement in Finn's Leinster Journal, this time thanking his patrons and the general public, and stating his commitment to serve them in the future.

MOST gratefully returns his sincere Thanks to the Nobility and Gentry of the City and County of Kilkenny, and the Public in general, for the very great and liberal Patronage and Support, with which they have been pleased to Honour him during eleven Years passed in Business—and assures them, that the same assiduous Attention to their Commands, which gained their Favour, shall be constantly attended to.

His Violins, Violoncellos, Tenors, Guitars, German Flutes of different Sizes, Fifes, &c he flatters himself will equal those of any other Maker in Ireland.

He likewise repairs all the above Instruments—best Roman Violin Strings, Guitar Wire, plain and covered ruled Paper, blank books, &c.

However, a cello recorded in the National Archives of Ireland bearing the label 'Vincenzo Panormo/fecit Kilkenny/Irelande, 1799', suggests that Panormo worked in Kilkenny for a short period of time, perhaps on his journey from Cork to Dublin.

[10] Perry's style of violin making was very typical of the early Irish school, which was heavily influenced by the Stainer model.

Perry's workmanship was considered to be quite rough compared to that of his brother, Thomas', but his instruments were said to have an excellent and remarkably sweet tone.