Dónal Lunny, the Irish musician and producer who helped shape the modern sound of Irish traditional music, died in Dublin on 23 October 2026 at the age of 79. He had been treated for cancer at St James’s Hospital.

Born in Tullamore, County Offaly, on 10 March 1947, Lunny grew up in Newbridge, County Kildare, where as a teenager he played with his brother Frank and Christy Moore. He studied graphic design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.

Best known for his bouzouki playing, he was a founding member of three landmark groups: Planxty (formed 1972, with Christy Moore, Andy Irvine and Liam O’Flynn), The Bothy Band (1974–1979) and Moving Hearts (1981–1985). Later projects included Coolfin, Mozaik, LAPD and Usher’s Island.

As a producer he worked with artists including Kate Bush, Paul Brady, Elvis Costello, Sinéad O’Connor and Clannad, and he was closely involved in founding Mulligan Records. He was a member of Aosdána and received the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

The Irish Traditional Music Archive said: “As a musician, arranger and producer, Dónal opened new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities in our melody tradition.”