Irish musician Dónal Lunny dies

Dónal Lunny, the Irish traditional musician, has died aged seventy-nine from cancer at St James's hospital in Dublin on Friday morning.

From Rakes of Kildare to Planxty

Lunny rose to prominence in the trio Rakes of Kildare alongside his brother Frank and Christy Moore, then went on to play in Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin.

Master of the bouzouki

Born in Tullamore, County Offaly, Lunny was a multi-instrumentalist best known for his mastery of the bouzouki and was central to its introduction into Irish music.

Producer and record label founder

Lunny was a talented melody writer and considered central to the revival of traditional music. He produced seventeen albums under his record label Mulligan Records.

President hails his legacy

Irish president Catherine Connolly said Lunny was central to the most influential moments of the last sixty years of Irish music and will be deeply missed.

“Dónal was one of Ireland's greatest musical figures, a wonderfully talented musician and producer who was central to so many of the most influential moments of the last 60 years of Irish music.”

Taoiseach calls him a colossus

Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Lunny as a colossus of Irish music who carried traditional and folk music to new audiences through Planxty and his many endeavours.

“A colossus of Irish music, as a performer, songwriter and producer.”