Dónal Lunny dies at 79 after producing 17 albums on Mulligan Records

Dónal Lunny, the musician and producer who ran the Mulligan Records label, died at 79 from cancer. His family confirmed the death on Friday, stating that he passed away peacefully in the morning at St James's hospital in Dublin after a brief hospitalization.

Born in Tullamore, County Offaly, Lunny first gained national attention as a member of the trio Rakes of Kildare with his brother Frank and Christy Moore. He subsequently played in several major ensembles, including Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band, and Coolfin. While he was a multi-instrumentalist, he became widely recognized for his expertise with the bouzouki and his work as a melody writer.

Through his record label, Lunny produced 17 albums. He is credited with playing a central role in the revival of Irish traditional music and integrating the bouzouki into the genre. His peers recognized his impact by electing him to Aosdána, and the RTÉ Radio 1 Irish folk awards presented him with a lifetime achievement award in 2025.

President Catherine Connolly issued a statement offering her deepest condolences to Lunny's family and collaborators. She described him as one of Ireland's greatest musical figures and a talented producer who was central to influential moments in Irish music over the past 60 years. Connolly specifically cited his long partnerships with Christy Moore and Andy Irvine.

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

Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated he was deeply saddened by the news. He called Lunny a colossus of Irish music and noted that the musician carried traditional and folk music to new audiences through Planxty and his other projects. Martin described Lunny as uniquely gifted as a performer, songwriter, and producer.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also paid tribute online. She referred to him as a giant of Irish traditional music who helped shape the country's sound for generations. Her post closed with the assertion that his contribution to Irish music and culture would never be forgotten.