Brief
Irish folk legend Dónal Lunny dies at 79 after cancer battle
The influential bouzouki player and founder of several seminal folk groups died on Friday morning, prompting tributes from Ireland's Taoiseach and political leaders.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny died at age 79 on Friday morning in St James’s Hospital, Dublin, after a brief hospital stay, according to a post on his Facebook page reported by the Press Association.
Lunny, born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, was a multi‑instrumentalist best known for his bouzouki work and for playing with the Rakes of Kildare, Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin. He produced 17 albums on his Mulligan Records label and was central to the revival of Irish traditional music.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin called Lunny “a colossus of Irish music” in a social‑media tribute, while Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald described him as “a giant of Irish traditional music” whose contribution will never be forgotten.
Key facts
- Dónal Lunny died at age 79 in St James’s Hospital, Dublin. (standard.co.uk)
- He was a founding member of several key Irish folk groups, including Planxty and the Bothy Band. (standard.co.uk)
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald publicly paid tribute. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79”
