[1][2] He was a apprentice and associate of the firm Perry & Wilkinson, before setting up his own business with John Wheatley, and later his son, Arthur Ringwood.

There is also evidence of a William Ringwood residing in Cole Alley in 1774, who was a builder and a master of the Guild of Bricklayers.

It is therefore likely that Ringwood grew up on either Nicholas Street or Cole Alley, both of which are close to the Christ Church area where the Perry family resided at the time and whom he would later apprentice with.

[17] After Perry's death, Ringwood set up in partnership with another maker, John Wheatley, and developed what was described as a "prosperous dealing business", employing several assistants to make instruments for them.

[2] Ringwood's son, Arthur, succeeded him at 14 Fownes Street after his death and established his own business as a maker.

[6] Ringwood's later instruments are similar in style to that of Nicola Amati, whose violins had a big influence on the Irish school.

He may have studied directly from an Amati instrument, as it is believed that his mentor, Perry, was lent one by the Duke of Leinster.

It is possible that Ringwood was also influenced by Panormo's style, which was also of the Amati school, and who made instruments for the Duke of Leinster while in Dublin.

[2] A very fine red-varnished violin by Ringwood was played for many years by Irish violinist Thérèse Timoney.