Irish composers score nominations for The Ivors Composer Awards

Multiple Irish composers were among the 36 Ivors Novello Award nominees announced by the Ivors Academy.

The winners will be revealed at The Ivors Composer Awards on November 17 at Grosvenor House, London.

"It's a pleasure to announce the nominees for The Ivors Composer Awards 2026, our new ceremony celebrating excellence in composition," said Lord Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy.

"They represent some of the most exciting and innovative British and Irish composers. Their creativity makes an extraordinary contribution to our culture and creative industries, and these nominations recognise the skill, originality and impact of their work."

The Academy stated the ceremony will celebrate "contemporary composition in all its forms," from film, television and video game soundtracks to community engagement and live performance.

Alongside the nine nominated categories, four Gift of the Academy special awards will be presented, including the Ivor Novello Award for Innovation to German-British composer and pianist, Max Richter.

Irish Composer Award Nominees: 

BEST COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION COMPOSITION WITH ABRSM 

• 'Holocene' by Ailís Ní Ríain
• 'How We Stand, How We Breathe' by Brian Irvine

BEST LARGE-SCALE COMPOSITION

• 'The White Book - Extracts From Han Kang's The White Book for Soprano and Orchestra' by Laura Bowler

BEST ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SCORE 

• 'Underland' by Hannah Peel

BEST VOCAL AND CHORAL COMPOSITION 

• 'A Taste of Trapped Sun' by Anselm McDonnell
• 'Ballads of a Bogman' by Stephen McNeff
• 'Litany to the Magdalene Dead' by Deirdre McKay