‘We were lucky to be loved by this beautiful man’ Dónal Lunny’s funeral hears

LAST UPDATE | 31 Oct

THE FAMILY OF Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny have said they feel so lucky to have been loved by “this beautiful man”.

The 79-year-old, who passed away last week after battling cancer, was remembered fondly at the service in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Music featured heavily at Lunny’s funeral at St Conleth’s Parish Church on Saturday morning.

One of his daughters, Cora and one of his sons, Oisin, paid tribute to their father during the service.

Lunny told mourners: “We were all very lucky to be loved by this beautiful man.”

She said it had been amazing to see him back on the road in recent months, “back where he was at home and playing at his full power and precision”.

She recalled walks on the hills when her father echoed the call of the curlew “perfectly, so you couldn’t tell if it was him or the curlew”, and “silly afternoons with our lovely brother, Shane, who should be here with us today”.

“Thank you, dad, for bringing music to the children of Palestine, and for always being honest and caring, and sharing your love with us and bringing joy to so many of us in so many ways,” she said.

“A lot of you know him as Donal off the telly, but he was even better at home. What an amazing man, and thank you so much, Dad.”

The cortege arrives at St Conleth’s Parish Church Evan Treacy / PA

 Lunny recalled his father as “always great craic, a bit mischievous and a fantastically playful and wonderful dad”.

“Music was his life so during school holidays I got to out and travel round Ireland with him and his wonderful musical families, so I have memories of bouncing round single lane roads in rural Ireland in a transit van and hearing absolutely thunderously good music every evening – it was such a privilege,” he said.

“Later on, I had the chance to work with him on some music, and I remember frequently being overcome with the feeling of bursting with pride. Not only was he a great friend and father, he was absolutely the best possible person to work with, and he brought things together in a way that was so elegant, and seemingly effortless, it just translated into pure joy.”

Donal Lunny in 2012 Niall Carson / PA

Public books of condolence were opened at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge and Kildare County Council’s offices.

Lunny toured worldwide after rising to prominence in the Rakes of Kildare band alongside Christy Moore and his brother Frank.

He went on to play in bands such as Planxty, Moving Hearts, the Bothy Band and Coolfin.

Born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Lunny was a multi-instrumentalist but was best known for his mastery of the bouzouki.

He was a talented melody writer and was considered central to the revival of traditional music as he produced 17 albums on his record label Mulligan Records.