Ailís Ní Ríain is an Irish composer and writer. Her work has been commissioned and performed worldwide. Her artistic interests are diverse and combined with an unwavering desire to push and develop her artistic practice through each new project or commission.

In 2016 she was awarded the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers. Her Debut Disc portrait album was released by NMC Recordings in 2023 and received many favourable reviews.

Ailís works broadly in the areas of concert music, music installation and music­-theatre and has collaborated with writers, dancers, visual artists and theatre artists.

Ailís is deaf/hard of hearing and some of her work has referenced these themes working with DadaFest, Unlimited, Arts & Disability Ireland, Shape Arts, Drake Music and Outside In. She is a long-time advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in the arts and a board member of Disability Arts Online. In 2021 she  became a board director of the Ivors Academy.

“As a composer and a writer, a significant talent”
– The Irish Times

“This album shows a voice that is independent, exploratory and quirky.” – The Irish Times 4*

“The sounds are bright, fresh and inventive…wide ranging and often provocative.” – The Guardian 4*

‘Seductively tintinnabulating […] music that dances and delights,’ – BBC Radio 3 New Music Show

“A fascinating interest in marrying sounds and resonances, unusual yet instructive.” – BBC Classical Music 4*

“… her bold approach combined with ingenious imagining of musical shapes.” – The Wire

“…an ideal introduction to a highly original composer, with powerful and distinctive ideas.” – Musical Opinion 5*

‘The Last Time I Died is a broad demonstration of her curious and unique creative mind.’ – Morning Star 4*