Dónal Lunny, the pioneering multi-instrumentalist and producer who fundamentally reshaped Irish traditional and folk music over six decades, died on Friday morning at St James’s Hospital at the age of 79 from cancer. Born in Tullamore, Co Offaly in March 1947, Lunny emerged as a central catalyst for the genre's revival, founding or helping lead groups including Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, LAPD, and Usher’s Island.
Lunny Begins Musical Journey in Newbridge
Raised in Newbridge, Co Kildare from the age of five as the middle child of nine, Lunny began his musical journey early. He played the bodhrán, guitar, mandolin, and keyboard. While studying art and design in Dublin, he played in the folk band Emmet Spiceland—affectionately dubbed Ireland’s ‘first boy band’—which helped popularise the song “Mary from Dungloe,” which topped the Irish charts in 1968. While studying design, Lunny also crafted the solid silver necklace presented annually to the winner of the Mary from Dungloe Festival, which he recalled weighed more than seven ounces.
A major sonic turning point arrived in the 1970s after Lunny formed a musical partnership with Andy Irvine. Spotting a bouzouki in Irvine’s flat, Lunny picked it up and championed its sound and inclusion for a new generation of Irish trad players.
Lunny Forms Supergroups and Becomes Producer
In 1972, Lunny, Irvine, Liam O’Flynn, and Christy Moore formed Planxty, bringing traditional music to new audiences. Lunny later left to join The Bothy Band in 1975 alongside musicians such as Matt Molloy, Kevin Burke, and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. In the early 1980s, he formed the traditional supergroup Moving Hearts with Moore and piper Davy Spillane.
Following Moving Hearts’ split in 1985, Lunny transitioned into a producer and ran Mulligan Records. He served as musical director and producer for the TV series Bringing It All Back Home in 1992 and worked with artists including Elvis Costello, Sinéad O’Connor, and Kate Bush.
Tributes From Across Irish Culture and Politics
Tributes poured in from political leaders and fellow artists following his death. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Lunny as a “colossus of Irish music,” while President Catherine Connolly called him “one of Ireland’s greatest musical figures.” Producer Philip King worked with him on musical projects.
Special Tribute Planned for TradFest 2027
Lunny had been scheduled to return to the Dublin-based TradFest in January 2027 alongside Paddy Glackin. Following his passing, festival organisers announced they are planning a special tribute in his honor. Lunny is survived by his partner Una O’Boyle and his children Oisín, Cora Venus, and Sora Chan. His son Shane O’Connor predeceased him in 2022.
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