Born in Dublin, Alison made her first record for Simon Napier Bell and David Hemmings at the age of 15 with the cult folk-rock band, Mellow Candle. The band played concerts with Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Donovan, The Chieftains and Steeleye Span amongst others. They signed to Decca's Deram label in the early 1970s and gigged in Ireland and the U.K. Their only album, 'Swaddling Songs, has since been acclaimed as a progressive folk rock masterpiece.

Alison then moved to Johannesburg and together with the guitarist from Mellow Candle they formed traditional group Flibbertigibbet. The band recorded an album on the Stanyan label and worked on national television and radio. When band members moved on she did some advertising freelance work and recordings for local singer songwriters. During the early 1980s she performed in a series of popular satirical revues and toured with the musical 'I'm getting my act together and taking it on the road'. When the tour ended she gigged with a number of jazz and rock bands and recorded an album as a member of writer/producer Terry Dempsey's band, Plastik Mak. After this period she assisted in the running of a Johannesburg club venue, which gave a platform to anti-apartheid performers, where she also performed from time to time with local actors and musicians.

In the mid 80s Alison joined a contemporary jazz group called Earthlings, co-writing the band's repertoire. She then returned to London and spent a number of years in public sector administration, easing her way back into the music industry by promoting the first of many re-release and reissues of some of her earlier recordings. In the latter part of 1997 she moved to Brussels, working with jazz and folk musicians and performing in pantomime in a leading role. She also recorded and choreographed the main principals' solos for the January 1998 pantomime, 'Sleeping Beauty', and acted as voice coach for the following two annual productions. During 1998 she set up the traditional-style band Éishtlinn with guitarist Philip Masure, incorporating some of her own compositions. In 2000/01 she gave regular workshops.

Alison moved back to Dublin in 2001. She sings and plays occasional bodhrán in sessions, festivals, gigs and charity events, mostly collaborating with other artistes. She is a member of the traditional singers' clubs, The Goilín and The Howth Singing Circle. Alison developed an interest in genealogy in 1996, working extensively on tracing her family tree. She wrote a book to follow on from a documentary about her grandmother, filmed by the BBC in 2004. Together with Isabel Ní Chuireáin, she released an album of original songs and tunes in 2006 entitled 'Mise agus Ise'.

2007/8 brought collaborations with Dave Colohan of Agitated Radio Pilot ('World Winding Down' double album) and Steven Collins of The Owl Service (EP entitled 'The Fabric of Folk' on the Static Caravan label). An album of songs is written and being arranged by Greg Weeks of Espers for recording sometime 09 in Philadelphia. Collaborations for her forthcoming solo album include Michael Tyack of Circulus, Kevin Scott of the Canadian band, Mr Pine, Graeme Lockett of Head South By Weaving, Gavin Prior of United Bible Studies and others. Alison also sings on a track for the Mr Pine album, 'Rewilding', entitled 'Sleep of Ondine', three tracks for the United Bible Studies album 'The Jonah', released by Camera Obscura), an Australian rock song homage by Colin Harper's for the album 'Freedom & The Dream Penguin' by The Fieldmouse Conspiracy), and a song for American band, Moonroot. In 08 and 09 Alison became an occasional gigging member of United Bible Studies. In late 2008 small, but perfectly formed indie prog/psych folk label, Fruits de Mer issued a vinyl Double A-Side single of two cover versions of Nick Drake's 'Day is Done and Nico's 'Frozen Warnings' with Head South By Weaving. She is also working with Graeme on a number of original and traditional songs for his first album.

Her solo album entitled 'Hey Hey Hippy Witch', consisting of 11 songs plus two bonus tracks is now available.