Irish musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79

Dónal Lunny, the multi-instrumentalist and producer who helped reshape Irish traditional music through Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, died on Friday aged 79. The Irish Times reported that he died of cancer at St James’s Hospital.

Born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in 1947, Lunny moved with his family to Newbridge, Co Kildare, at the age of five. He began learning music as a child and later studied at the National College of Art and Design, but an emerging musical career drew him away from art.

His early groups included the Rakes of Kildare, formed with his brother Frank and Christy Moore, and Emmet Spiceland, which reached number one in Ireland with “Mary from Dungloe.” Lunny later joined Moore, Andy Irvine and Liam O’Flynn as a founding member of Planxty. He subsequently played with The Bothy Band and reunited with Moore in Moving Hearts, which blended traditional Irish music with rock.

Lunny became particularly associated with the bouzouki after Irvine introduced him to the Greek instrument. He adapted its design and helped establish its open, percussive sound in Irish traditional music. His later projects included Coolfin, Mozaik, Usher’s Island and LAPD.

As a producer, Lunny worked with artists including Elvis Costello, Sinéad O’Connor and Sharon Shannon. He also helped found Mulligan Records and was a member of Aosdána. In 2025, he received a lifetime achievement award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, presented by his longtime friend and collaborator Moore.