Home / Arts and Entertainment / Irish Music Icon Dónal Lunny Dies at 79
Irish Music Icon Dónal Lunny Dies at 79
23 Oct
Summary
- Dónal Lunny, renowned Irish musician, passed away at age 79.
- He was a founding member of influential bands: The Bothy Band, Planxty, and Moving Hearts.
- Lunny's career spanned decades, shaping Irish traditional music's revival and growth.
Dónal Lunny, a celebrated Irish multi-instrumentalist and composer, has passed away at the age of 79. He was a pivotal force in the revival and advancement of traditional Irish music throughout his distinguished career.
Lunny was instrumental in forming three highly regarded bands: The Bothy Band, Planxty, and Moving Hearts. His musical contributions included playing bouzouki, guitar, keyboards, and bodhrán, redefining the sound of Irish music.
Beyond his band work, Lunny founded Mulligan Records in 1973, producing numerous albums for various artists. He also composed scores for film and television dramas, including "Bringing It All Back Home" and "This Is My Father."
He received lifetime achievement awards from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2018 and the RTÉ Radio 1 Irish Folk Awards last year. His last public performance was at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August.
Lunny's influence was immense, opening new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities in Irish music. His legacy is woven into the fabric of the living tradition and the lives of many musicians.
