Irish musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79
publishers 14articles 18first reported 23 Oct, 14:29 UTCdeveloping since 23 Oct · 9 editions
Dónal Lunny, the multi-instrumentalist, producer and influential figure in Irish traditional music, died from cancer on Friday morning at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. He was 79.
Born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in 1947 and raised in Newbridge, Co Kildare, Lunny began playing music as a child. As a teenager he formed the Rakes of Kildare with his older brother Frank and Christy Moore, beginning a musical partnership with Moore that continued for decades.
Lunny later became a founding member of Planxty alongside Moore, Andy Irvine and Liam O’Flynn. He also played with The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, groups credited with expanding the sound and audience of Irish traditional music, and pursued further collaborations through projects including Coolfin, Mozaik and Usher’s Island.
Although proficient on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, bodhrán and mandolin, Lunny was particularly associated with the bouzouki. After encountering the Greek instrument through Irvine, he adapted its use and helped establish it as a central part of modern Irish traditional music.
His production work included recordings by Sinéad O’Connor, Elvis Costello and Sharon Shannon. He also helped establish Mulligan Records and was a member of Aosdána. In 2025, he received a lifetime achievement award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.
President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and musicians who worked with Lunny were among those paying tribute, praising his musicianship, innovation and contribution to Irish culture.
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