Dónal Lunny, ‘colossus of Irish music’, dies aged 79 | Folks music

The Irish conventional musician Dónal Lunny has died on the age of 79 from most cancers.

Lunny rose to prominence within the band Rakes of Kildare alongside Christy Moore and his brother Frank. He went on to play in bands resembling Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin amongst others and toured the globe.

A put up on his Facebook web page confirmed that Lunny died in St James’s hospital in Dublin on Friday morning.

“We are heartbroken to verify that our beloved Dónal handed away peacefully this morning in Dublin following a brief keep in St James’s hospital,” the put up mentioned. “Thank you for serving to us to recollect and have fun his immense contribution to music, to tradition and to so many individuals’s lives everywhere in the globe.”

The Irish president, Catherine Connolly, expressed her “deepest condolences to the household, associates and plenty of musical collaborators of Dónal Lunny”.

In an announcement, she mentioned: “Dónal was considered one of Ireland’s biggest musical figures, a splendidly gifted musician and producer who was central to so lots of the most influential moments of the final 60 years of Irish music.

“Dónal will probably be notably remembered for his lengthy partnerships with fellow musicians resembling Christy Moore and Andy Irvine and for the progressive music he has left behind each as a musician in teams together with Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts and in addition as a famend producer.

“This wealthy musical legacy, together with his central position within the introduction of the bouzouki into Irish music, was appropriately recognised by his fellow artists in Dónal’s membership of Aosdána, in addition to the well-deserved recognition which he obtained in being awarded a lifetime achievement award on the 2025 RTÉ Radio 1 Irish folks awards.

“Beyond his music, Dónal will probably be remembered for his heat and the robust connection which he had with audiences throughout Ireland and past. He will probably be deeply missed.”

The put up led to Irish, saying his likes is not going to be seen once more: “Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.”

Lunny was born in Tullamore, County Offaly, and was a multi-instrumentalist however was finest identified for his mastery of the bouzouki. He was a gifted melody author and regarded central to the revival of conventional music as he produced 17 albums underneath his file label Mulligan Records.

Paying tribute to the folks musician, the taoiseach, Micheál Martin, mentioned he was “deeply saddened” to listen to of his passing. “A colossus of Irish music, as a performer, songwriter and producer,” he wrote in a put up on social media.

“Uniquely gifted, Dónal carried conventional and folks music to new audiences by way of Planxty and his many different endeavours.”

Sinn Féin’s president, Mary Lou McDonald, additionally paid tribute on-line, saying: “Deeply saddened to listen to of the passing of Dónal Lunny. An enormous of Irish conventional music, Dónal helped form the sound of Irish music for generations, bringing our wealthy musical heritage to audiences at dwelling and across the globe. His contribution to Irish music and tradition won’t ever be forgotten.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam [may his soul rest in peace].”