Pioneering Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny has died aged 79

RIP

The Irish Traditional Music Archive said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death.

LEGENDARY IRISH TRADITIONAL musician Donal Lunny has died at the age of 79. 

A central figure in folk and traditional music since the 1960s, he was a founding member of a number of bands, including Planxty, Moving Hearts, LAPD and Usher’s Island.

Throughout his career, he also worked with artists such as U2, Kate Bush, Sinéad O’Connor, Elvis Costello and Van Morrison.

In a post on social media, the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death. 

“As a musician, arranger and producer, Dónal opened new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities in our melody tradition. Through Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts and a lifetime of collaboration, his imagination helped shape the sound of Irish music over more than half a century,” the post said.

ITMA said Lunny was best known for his bouzouki playing, but also played guitar, bodhrán, mandolin, keyboards and synthesizer, as well as singing.

It said his musical life was founded on creativity, friendship and collaboration, adding that his work with the likes of Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Liam O’Flynn and Paddy Glackin “places him at the heart of some of the most important developments in Irish music of the modern era”. 

TradFest said it learned of Lunny’s death with great sadness.

“Few people have shaped Irish music the way Dónal did,” it said in a statement. 

“From Planxty and The Bothy Band to Moving Hearts, and through decades of producing and playing alongside the finest musicians in the country, he changed how the tradition sounded and how far it travelled.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.