Irish musician Donal Lunny dies aged 79

Irish multi‑instrumentalist Donal Lunny died on 23 October at the age of 79.

Lunny, a central figure in the revival of Irish traditional music, was celebrated for his work with seminal groups such as Planxty (1971), the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts in the 1980s. He was also recognised as a producer and composer, contributing to contemporary projects for artists including Elvis Costello, Rod Stewart, Kate Bush and Clannad, and scoring films such as This Is My Father.

Fellow musician Sharon Shannon paid tribute on The Pat Kenny Show, describing Lunny as having a “magic touch” and noting that “everything Donal touched turns to gold.” She recalled his recent “miraculous recovery” from a serious lung infection before his death, which she said came as an “awful shock” to many.

Lunny’s career spanned decades, and he remained influential as both a performer and producer, bridging tradition and innovation in Irish music.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Mathias Reding / Pexels.