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 ishtlinn 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 bodhrn in sessions, festivals, gigs and charity events, mostly collaborating with other artistes. She is a member of the traditional singers' clubs, The Goiln 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 N Chuirein, 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 and vinyl entitled 'The Fabric of Folk', Static Caravan). In late 2008 small, but perfectly formed indie prog/psych folk label, Fruits de Mer issued a vinyl Double A-Side single of cover versions of Nick Drake's 'Day is Done and Nico's 'Frozen Warnings' with Head South By Weaving. In September 2011 a copy of the single sold on eBay for £74.00. She is also working with Graeme of HSBW on a number of original and traditional songs for forthcoming album entitled 'The Execution of Frederick Baker'. In 2008 Alison became a member of the acclaimed psych folk collective United Bible Studies. Collaborations for her forthcoming solo album, entitled 'Hey Hey Hippy Witch' 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), and an Australian rock homage by Colin Harper, author and musician, for his album 'Freedom & The Dream Penguin' by The Fieldmouse Conspiracy). In 2010 she guested on doom metal band Cathedral's 9th album, 'The Guessing Game'. 2010/11 saw the formation of her band Bajik, which headlined at their maiden concert in Spain at the Datura Folk Festival. The band is working towards their first album. Alison has just completed an EP with British folk musician Adam Bulewski on an EP entitled 'Anointed Queen', due for release at the end of 2011.