  Cold ions in traps are well-established, highly controllable quantum systems
with a wide variety of applications in quantum information, precision
spectroscopy, clocks and chemistry. Nanomechanical oscillators are used in
advanced sensing applications and for exploring the border between classical
and quantum physics. Here, we report on the implementation of a hybrid system
combining a metallic nanowire with laser-cooled ions in a miniaturised ion
trap. We demonstrate resonant and off-resonant coupling of the two systems and
the coherent motional excitation of the ion by the mechanical drive of the
nanowire. The present results open up avenues for mechanically manipulating the
quantum motion of trapped ions, for the development of ion-mechanical hybrid
quantum systems and for the sympathetic cooling of mechanical systems by
trapped ions and vice versa.
