Dónal Lunny, bouzouki pioneer of Irish music, dies at 79

Dónal Lunny, the multi-instrumentalist credited with bringing the bouzouki into Irish traditional music, died on Friday morning at St James's hospital in Dublin. He was 79 and had cancer.

A post on his Facebook page confirmed the death. "We are heartbroken to confirm that our beloved Dónal passed away peacefully this morning in Dublin following a short stay in St James's hospital," the post said. "Thank you for helping us to remember and celebrate his immense contribution to music, to culture and to so many people's lives all over the world." The post closed in Irish: "Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann" — his likes will not be seen again.

Who was Dónal Lunny?

Born in Tullamore, County Offaly, Lunny first rose to prominence in the trio Rakes of Kildare alongside his brother Frank and Christy Moore. He went on to play in Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin, among others, and toured the world.

Though a multi-instrumentalist, he was best known for his mastery of the bouzouki — an instrument he was central to introducing into Irish music. He was also a talented melody writer and is considered central to the revival of traditional music. His record label, Mulligan Records, produced 17 albums.

His peers formally recognised that legacy: Lunny was a member of Aosdána, and in 2025 he received a lifetime achievement award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Irish folk awards.

What did Ireland's leaders say?

The Irish president, Catherine Connolly, expressed her "deepest condolences to the family, friends and many musical collaborators of Dónal Lunny".

"Dónal was one of Ireland's greatest musical figures, a wonderfully talented musician and producer who was central to so many of the most influential moments of the last 60 years of Irish music," she said in a statement. Connolly singled out his long partnerships with Christy Moore and Andy Irvine, his work in Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, and his renown as a producer.

"Beyond his music, Dónal will be remembered for his warmth and the strong connection which he had with audiences all over Ireland and beyond," she said. "He will be deeply missed."

The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news. "A colossus of Irish music, as a performer, songwriter and producer," Martin wrote on social media. "Uniquely gifted, Dónal carried traditional and folk music to new audiences through Planxty and his many other endeavours."

Sinn Féin's president, Mary Lou McDonald, also paid tribute online. "A giant of Irish traditional music, Dónal helped shape the sound of Irish music for generations, bringing our rich musical heritage to audiences at home and around the world," she wrote. "His contribution to Irish music and culture will never be forgotten. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam [May his soul rest in peace]."

What does this change for Irish music?

The verdict from every quarter is consistent: Lunny was not merely a performer but an architect of the modern Irish sound — the bouzouki in the session, the produced folk album, the international audience for Planxty and the Bothy Band. What remains after Friday is the catalogue: the bands, the 17 Mulligan albums, and a repertoire now standard in the tradition he helped revive.