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Irish singer-songwriter Cat Dowling passed away at the age of 54 on August 7, following a battle with cancer diagnosed in 2017, according to regional and national reports. Known for her distinctive voice and darkly atmospheric songs, the former Alphastates frontwoman was laid to rest in her native County Kilkenny as fellow musicians, broadcasters, and promoters paid tribute to her as a free spirit and true original.
Funeral and Final Rites in Kilkenny
Catherine “Cat” Dowling was laid to rest following a Requiem Mass held at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 12, at the Sacred Heart Church in Ferrybank, according to local funeral notices cited by KCLR 96FM and Kilkenny Live. Dowling reposed at Power’s Funeral Home in Ferrybank ahead of her removal to the church, with burial following in Glenmore Cemetery.
According to her death notice, Dowling was predeceased by her father Richard (Dick) and is survived by her children Rachel, Ódhran, and Juliette, their father Brian, her mother Máirín, her sister Anne Marie, her brothers Padraic, Donal, Richard, and John, alongside an extended family and circle of friends.
Musical Legacy and Breakthroughs
Dowling first came to prominence in the 2000s as the frontwoman for bands including Babelfish and Alphastates, before establishing a critically acclaimed solo career. Her 2013 debut solo album, The Believer, gained an international audience when its title track was featured in the television series Banshee and Witches of East End, as reported by the Irish Examiner.
Her subsequent work included the 2021 release of her 11-track album Animals, which she co-produced alongside Gerry Horan. Beyond her solo catalog, Dowling contributed vocals to various collaborative projects, including work with Emmy-winning actress Viola Davis for music connected to the US television drama How to Get Away with Murder.
Tributes from the Irish Music Community
Following news of her passing, members of the Irish music industry shared memories of Dowling’s warmth, talent, and unique artistic vision. The band The Stunning described her as “a true original” and “another huge loss to the Irish music community,” noting that she had opened for them in Kilkenny and praising her final album, Animals, as superb.
Producer and musician Peter Vogelaar remembered Dowling as a “gentle giving soul and a unique talent,” recalling their collaborative recording sessions in Temple Bar. Broadcaster John Barker, who presented the all-Irish music program Tilt, recalled interviewing her several times, describing her as a talented songwriter whose voice he loved and whose passion for music remained constant. Cork promoter Eddie Kiely also offered tributes, stating that Dowling brought warmth, passion, and beautiful energy to everything she touched.
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