This annual residency was created to enable Irish musicians to further their performance practice at the Centre in Paris and provides a valuable opportunity to showcase work on an international stage.
Born in Armagh in 1970, Niall began learning the concertina at the age of seven, taught by his parents Brian and Eithne Vallely, founders of the Armagh Pipers' Club. He has been a resident of Cork since 1988 and completed a degree in music at University College Cork in 1992. Niall recently received a PhD in composition from UCC and has been involved in high profile arrangement projects with Lúnasa, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Donal Lunny, Boston Pops Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Niall’s compositions have been recorded on more than 75 albums. Since the early 1990s, he has been composing traditional-style tunes and, in more recent years, he has expanded the scope of his compositions to embrace larger scale forms and instrumentation involving musicians from the worlds of traditional and classical music.
During his residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris Niall will focus on developing a body of material for a new album, specifically connecting with the music of the Arab world and engaging with some of the Middle East's foremost musicians during his time there.
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 month-long residency takes place at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris and offers recipients the opportunity to tap into the resources of both CCI and Paris. Former recipients include Sharon Carthy (2024-25), Siomha Brock (2023-24), Sue Rynhart (2022-23), Caitriona Frost (2021-22), Macdara Yeates (2020-21), Mairéad Hickey (2019-20), Aisling Kenny (2018-19), Sam Comerford (2017-18), Barry Donoghue (2016-17) and Rhob Cunningham (2015-16).
