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Winner of the PRS Composer of the Year award at the 2009 MG Alba Scots Music Awards and renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, Mairearad is one of Scotland’s finest musical exports. In great demand as a performer and composer, Mairearad can often be seen on stage with Anna Massie, Box Club, The Poozies and The Unusual Suspects and she has also toured with Karine Polwart and Eddi Reader.

Mairearad has written original music from a very young age and many of her compositions are rapidly becoming well known on the Scottish Folk scene. Among the favourites are "Maggie West's Waltz" and "Dram Behind the Curtain." The latter recently recorded on Eddi Reader’s Burns Deluxe album. “Mairearad is a genius. Dram Behind the Curtian is the best Scottish tune I have heard in years” Eddi Reader.

Branching out from the traditional folk music style of composition, in 2007, Mairearad wrote the music for the short film "Sea of Glass". This gave Mairearad the impetus to write on a larger scale and at Celtic Connections last year, Mairearad’s New Voices Commission ‘Passing Places’ was sold out and said to be a highlight of the festival. “The third, final, and undoubtedly best of this year's New Voices series.” ★★★★★ The Scotsman.

Since this performance, Mairearad has released the commission live on CD/DVD and she has also produced a book of original compositions featuring the music from Passing Places and many more.

See projects page for more information