Dr Áine Nic an Ríogh MRIAI

Áine manages the architectural services at VCL Consultants, and is a registered architect with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI). Over the past 10 years Áine has worked as an architect as well as focusing on research and lecturing in professional practice, architectural history and acoustics.

Áine received a scholarship to study Architecture at University College Dublin where she graduated with a B.Sc (Arch) and BArch. She also holds a diploma in Construction Project Management from Trinity College Dublin. In September 2011 she returned to the School of Architecture where she researched music, architecture and acoustics in Eighteenth-Century Irish Country Houses for her PhD in Architecture as an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholar, the first awarded in the country for Architectural research. As part of this research Áine ran a highly successful series of concerts in country houses and has since set up her own production company to produce @TheDrawingRoom an exciting project designed to develop the public’s awareness of architecture, culture and heritage through a series of events in some of Dublin’s finest Georgian townhouses. It aims to provide an alternative to the concert hall or gallery setting for audiences to enjoy music and art.

As part of her continued professional development Áine is an active member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI), as well as the Irish Georgian Society. Áine is particularly interested in architectural history and lectures on this subject, as well as architectural professional practice to Masters students in UCD. She is also interested in the continued evolution of the Construction Industry and has been developing a BIM and virtual design program within VCL. Alongside her architectural work Áine is an accomplished violinist and pianist. She continues to promote and develop programmes for the development of young professional musicians and sits on the committees of the Dublin Philharmonic Society and the Drogheda Classical Music Series.

Áine grew up in Monasterboice and has been closely involved in the local community her whole life. More recently she has developed an interest in local business affairs and is a member of Drogheda Chamber and Network Ireland. Áine was President of the Louth branch of Network Ireland in 2020, Network Ireland supports women in business locally and nationally. Áine was also involved in Drogheda’s Fleadh Cheoil and hosted Seachtain na hÉigse and the CD launches for the 2018 and 2019 festivals. Áine remains closely involved in musical, artistic and community events and programmes within the town and county.