Tributes have been paid to the legendary trad musician Dónal Lunny, who has passed away aged 79.

Dónal’s career spanned an incredible six decades, and he was a founding member of several popular bands, including Planxty, Moving Hearts, LAPD, and Usher’s Island.

Born in Tullamore, Dónal attended the National College of Art and Design in Dublin before branching out into music in 1966. He’s credited with popularising the bouzouki in Ireland, using the instrument throughout his career.

In 2025, Dónal was recognised for his contributions to the popularisation of Irish trad with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

His son, Oisín, was part of the hip-hop group Marxman, while his daughter, Cora, is a renowned violinist. He and Sinéad O’Connor shared a son, Shane, who was born in 2004; Shane tragically passed away in 2022, when he was just 17 years old.

The Irish Traditional Music Archive confirmed Dónal’s passing in a Facebook post on Friday morning, paying tribute to ‘one of the most creative and influential figures in Irish traditional music.’

‘Dónal’s influence on Irish music was immense. As a musician, arranger and producer, he opened new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities in our melody tradition. Through Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts and a lifetime of collaboration, his imagination helped shape the sound of Irish music over more than half a century and inspired generations of musicians.’

‘A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Dónal was best known for his bouzouki playing, but also played guitar, bodhrán, mandolin, keyboards and synthesiser, as well as singing,’ the statement continued. ‘His range reflected the breadth of his musical imagination and his instinctive understanding of rhythm, harmony and melody.

‘His musical life was founded on creativity, friendship and collaboration. His work with the likes of Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Liam O’Flynn, Paddy Glackin, Matt Molloy, Maighréad and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Frank Harte and so many others places him at the heart of some of the most important developments in Irish music of the modern era.’

‘Dónal leaves behind an extraordinary body of work. His artistry, generosity and influence are woven deeply into the living tradition and into the lives of so many who knew him, were inspired by him, or had the privilege of playing and working alongside him.

‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Dónal’s family, friends and the very wide musical community who mourn him.’