Niall in Paris
Daniel O’Neill
A Cork-based traditional musician is set for a year in Paris where he can explore of the music of the Arab world.
Music Network and the Centre Culturel Irlandais (CCI) have announced the next recipient of their special residency programme will be composer and concertina player Niall Vallely who has been awarded the annual Music Network/Centre Culturel Irlandais Music Performance Residency for 2025-2026. The residency allows Irish musicians to show off their musical talent on an international stage in Paris.
During his residency, Niall will focus on developing new work for his next album which plans to explore the music of the Arab world and engaging with some of the Middle East's foremost musicians during his time there.
Born in Armagh in 1970, Niall’s musical passion began at age 7 where he began learning the concertina taught by parents and founders of the Armagh Piper’s Club, Brian and Eithne Vallely. He has lived in Cork since 1988 and completed a degree in music at University College Cork in 1992.
He recently received a PhD in composition from UCC and has gone on to work on projects with Lúnasa, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Donal Lunny, Boston Pops Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Since the early 1990s he has been composing traditional style music and has collaborated on more than 75 albums.
His career has a rich variety of sounds and he has explored different genres of music through his collaborations such as classical, jazz, folk and global traditions.
Commenting on the news, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “We are delighted to once again be partnering with Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris on this residency and to be able to support the work of this year’s recipient Niall Vallely. This residency offers a wonderful opportunity for a musician to further their performance career at the centre in Paris, and is an important avenue for showcasing Ireland’s dynamic musical talent on an international stage.”
The residency takes place at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris and lasts one month, and recipients will be offered the opportunity to tap into the resources of both CCI and Paris.
Some previous recipients include respectable names like Sharon Carthy, Siomha Brock, Sue Rynhart and Caitriona Frost.