The Seán Ó Riada Competition is a composition competition which invites the submission of new works from Irish composers.

The competition is a collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and Chamber Choir Ireland, and the winning composition is selected annually by a panel, comprising of composers and choral experts.

Each year, the selected composition receives its premiere performance during the festival at a Gala Concert given by Chamber Choir Ireland. The composer of the work also receives a cash prize kindly donated by the Ó Riada family.

Past winners include Solfa Carlisle, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Séamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal MacErlaine, Simon MacHale, Michael McGlynn, Kevin O’Connell, Amanda Feery, Criostóir Ó Loingsigh, Donal Sarsfield, James May, Peter Leavy, Norah Constance Walsh, Darragh Black Hynes, Laura Heneghan, and last year’s winner, Anselm McDonnell.