Aosdána, founded in 1981, honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland.

Ed has been awarded a fellowship from the Internationales Künstlerhaus Villa Concordia in Germany. This prestigious award is given to international artists in recognition of their complete body of work. Ed will join other awarded artists creating new work at the Künstlerhaus throughout 2024 and early 2025. More information on the award can be found here.

Ed will create a substantial new work ‘Everything is Connected’ for 10 musicians and spoken word. The evening long work will feature texts addressing environmental issues by the Irish poet Cherry Smyth who will perform live with the ensemble. Premiere performances are planned for the Autumn in Belfast, Dublin and London culminating in a performance at London Jazz Festival.

The premiere of ‘In a Wide Open Space’ a work for large ensemble, field recordings and soundtrack was premiered by Orkest de ereprijs in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The work continues Ed’s long association with de ereprijs for whom he has composed multiple works over the past 25 years. ‘In a Wide Open Space’ explores our need for nature in a time when the pull towards cities is bigger than ever. This new work was made possible with support from Orkest de ereprijs and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Further performances are planned for later in the year.

A new BBC documentary about the life and work of celebrated Belfast poet Michael Longley features music by Ed. The programme which was aired on terestrial TV is also available to watch on the BBC iplayer. Follow this link for more details.

The premiere performances of ‘Strange Waves’ just released on Ergodos records are taking place this Autumn in London, Dublin and Belfast. The London premiere was at London’s favourite music venue Cafe Oto on October 3rd whilst the Irish premiere will take place on 19th November at the ‘Music at Noon’ series at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin amongst the Andy Warhol exhibition currently on there. There will be a further performance on December 14th at the amazing Sonic Arts Research Centre in Belfast. The concert length work will be performed in it’s entirety with a specially commissioned film by film-maker Laura Sheeran.

The German based magazine recently did an interview with Ed about his new record ‘Strange Waves’ with Kate Ellis and the creative process.

Ed’s new album with cellist Kate Ellis ‘Strange Waves’ has just been released on Ireland’s Ergodos records. Described by the Whole Note as "multiple cellos blending in a dreamlike texture of glissandos and drones creating a foggy haze [...] A truly meditative experience”, ‘Strange Waves’ was conceived and written during the 2020/21 lockdowns for Kate Ellis and is a substantial and immersive concert length work featuring visuals by Laura Sheeran.

This November Ed will feature as a mentor at the Young Composers Academy as part of the Rainy Days Festival in Luxembourg alongside colleague and friend Annea Lockwood. Throughout the week composers will take part in workshops and presentations with Annea, Ed and Ensemble Lucilin culminating in a concert of new work which will also include works from Ed and Annea.

Ed is currently finishing a new commission ‘In a Wide Open Space’ for the Dutch ensemble Orkest De Ereprijs, This substantial work will be premiered by the ensemble in February 2024 in Apeldoorn and Amsterdam in the Netherlands as part of the orchestras international concert season. The work was made possible with assistance from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Orkest de ereprijs.