From the soft hills of Cork to the vibrant energy of Belfast, guitarist and composer Neil Ó Briain has carved out a solid space for himself in the Irish music landscape, balancing technical mastery, heartfelt tradition and a commitment to ingenuity.

“I was born and grew up in Co. Cork and am now living in Belfast,” Ó Briain shares. “So I’ve gone from one end of the country to the other!” His move north wasn’t just for a change of scenery; it also brought fresh creative energy. “I’ve been in Belfast for the past few years. There’s a thriving music scene and Irish language community here.”

Ó Briain’s journey with music started early, fostered by family and nurtured by hard work. “There was always a guitar in the house as my dad plays and sings ballads,” he says. “I was probably around eight when I started getting lessons. I’ve been playing ever since.”

That early spark never dimmed. “Playing and making music is so ingrained and central to my life that it’s hard to imagine not doing it,” he reflects. For O’ Briain, music isn’t just a hobby or even a job – it’s a vocation. “It allows you to express yourself. It’s the perfect mixture of creativity and craft.”

Of course, the life of a working musician comes with its own set of trials. “Business needs and artistic needs don’t always match up,” he says, laughing. “The aim is to get the balance right, but it’s a tough industry money-wise.” And when writer’s block strikes, he doesn’t panic; he pivots. “I use the time to try something else – like studying theory or doing a deep dive into a new genre – then I’m still improving as a musician.”

Such openness to inspiration is the key to Ó Briain’s evolution as an artist. “My main aim is always to develop my own voice within my compositions,” he explains. “I’ve gotten better from a technical point of view, but the creative process will never feel ‘finished’ – and that’s the joy of it.”

As a solo guitarist, Ó Briain blends tradition with innovation. “Over the past few years, I’ve tried to compose good music that happens to be played on guitar, as opposed to ‘guitar pieces’ in and of themselves,” he says.

His diligence has paid off. Ó Briain’s discography includes two full-length albums and, more recently, the EP Tobar, a collection of traditional Irish tunes adapted for solo guitar. “I was lucky to get funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland,” he says.

“The melodies were already there; I just needed to make them into solo guitar pieces. I experimented with different chord structures and harping techniques. I’m happy with the results, and the response has been really encouraging.”

An approach that combines resilience and perseverance is reflected in Ó Briain’s description of his creative process as a composer and songwriter.

“Some pieces might come out of thin air and be finished quickly, while some take ages. I enjoy studying theory and analyzing other music. I think the best approach is to keep learning and improving, so that you’re ready when inspiration does strike.”

He applies this distinctive pursuit of inspiration when planning for live performances. “I try to be as prepared as possible. People pick up on how you put yourself across on stage, so I make sure I know my set and stay comfortable,” and, he adds gratefully, “I’ve been lucky to have played gigs and festivals in many other countries outside of Ireland, including Canada, Sweden and Belgium.”

Ó Briain has kept busy in recent years promoting Tobar, as well as his second album, Achar, and composing music for documentaries airing on RTÉ and BBC. “It’s not just solo guitar pieces,” he says. “It’s allowed me to compose for ensembles, which is something I’m developing more and more.”

Another recent project is especially close to his heart. “I’m currently working with Raidió Fáilte to produce a documentary on an Irish-language poet from Cork, Domhnall Ó Conchubhair,” he says. “He was my great-great-grandfather. His poetry hasn’t been heard in nearly a century, so I’ll be arranging and playing some of these songs. It’s a beautiful way to combine music and family history.”

From ancient melodies to original compositions, Neil Ó Briain’s dedication to his craft resonates across generations, genres and borders. “While I’m certainly not the only person arranging Irish music for solo guitar, I’m glad that my contribution is being enjoyed by people and I’m doing my bit for the tradition.”

@neilobri