Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 24 Oct, 10:08 · Archive

Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny, a founding member of Planxty, has died aged 79 from cancer.

Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny has died aged 79 after battling cancer. He died peacefully at St James's Hospital in Dublin on Friday morning following a short stay.

Lunny rose to prominence in the band Rakes of Kildare alongside Christy Moore and his brother Frank. He went on to play in founding and other roles in bands including Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin, and toured the world throughout his career. He was also a renowned producer and played a central role in introducing the bouzouki into Irish music.

Irish President Catherine Connolly expressed her 'deepest condolences' and said in a statement that Lunny was 'one of Ireland's greatest musical figures' and 'central to so many of the most influential moments of the last 60 years of Irish music'. She noted his long partnerships with musicians such as Christy Moore and Andy Irvine. Lunny was recognised by fellow artists through his membership of Aosdána and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 RTÉ Radio One Irish Folk Awards.

How it is being reported

• Dónal Lunny, ‘colossus of Irish music’, dies aged 79Founding member of Planxty, Lunny went on to play for bands such as Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin The Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny has died at the age of 79 from cancer. Lunny rose to prominence in the band Rakes of Kildare alongside Christy Moore and his brother Frank. He went on to play in bands such as Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin among others and toured the world. Continue reading...The Guardian · 24 Oct, 09:44
• Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79A founder of the band Planxty, Dónal Lunny went on to play for bands such as Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin among others.Evening Standard · 24 Oct, 08:27
• Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny dies aged 79A founder of the band Planxty, Dónal Lunny went on to play for bands like Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin among others.Evening Standard · 23 Oct, 17:58

In this story: Dónal Lunny · Planxty · Moving Hearts · Christy Moore · Rakes of Kildare · Catherine Connolly · Dublin

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