Traditional musician and producer Dónal Lunny has died aged 79.

He has been involved in Planxty and Moving Hearts, and co-founded Mulligan Records and produced 17 albums for the label.

Dónal Lunny produced and collaborated on albums with Kate Bush, Mark Knopfler and Clannad among others.

In 2008 Dónal received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Trinity College.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he's saddened, and described him as uniquely gifted, and says he carried traditional and folk music to new audiences.

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dónal Lunny - a colossus of Irish music, as a performer, songwriter and producer.

Uniquely gifted, Dónal carried traditional and folk music to new audiences through Planxty and his many other endeavours.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 23, 2026

Shona McCarthy, Director of the Arts Council, says: "It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Dónal Lunny today. His championing of Irish traditional music was instrumental in bringing the artform to the fore.

"Dónal was a trailblazer, inspiring generations of musicians and expertly balancing tradition and reinvention.

"He was a talented and passionate artist, and on behalf of the Arts Council I would like to extend my most sincere sympathies to all those who knew him personally or were inspired by his work."

Peter Sirr, Toscaireacht Member, said on behalf of Aosdána members: "We are very sad to hear of the passing of Donal Lunny whose work as a musician and composer was central to the renaissance of Irish music over the last several decades. Through his involvement with innovative and influential bands such as Planxty, Moving Hearts, The Bothy Band and recently Mozaik, he was at the heart of the reinvigoration of Irish music.

"He toured widely and collaborated with musicians from many different cultures and traditions. He produced 17 albums for Mulligan Records, the label he co-founded, and collaborated on albums with Kate Bush, Mark Knopfler, Clannad, and Baaba Maal among many others.

"He was elected to Aosdána in 2006 and received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Trinity College in 2008.

"He was one of those exceptional artists we imagine will always be with us and whose music will always live on. The Toscaireacht extends its heartfelt condolences to his family."