Dónal Lunny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dónal Lunny
|
|
|---|---|
Lunny in 2006
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 March 1947 Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Associated acts |
|
Dónal Lunny (born 10 March 1947) is a famous Irish folk musician and producer. He plays many instruments, including the guitar, bouzouki, keyboards, and bodhrán. Dónal Lunny helped start popular bands like Planxty, The Bothy Band, and Moving Hearts. He has been a very important part of bringing back Irish traditional music for over fifty years. In 2025, he received a special Lifetime Achievement Award from the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.
Dónal is the brother of another musician and producer, Manus Lunny.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Dónal Lunny was born on 10 March 1947 in Tullamore, Ireland. His family moved to Newbridge when he was five years old. He went to secondary school there.
As a teenager, Dónal played in a group called Rakes of Kildare. He played with his older brother Frank and Christy Moore. They often performed in pubs.
In 1965, Dónal started studying art and design in Dublin. He also learned to be a skilled gold and silversmith. But he soon decided to focus all his energy on music. While in Dublin, he played in a band called The Parnell Folk.
Dónal Lunny's Performing Career
Emmet Spiceland: Early Success
Later, Dónal formed a group called Emmet Folk. They even started their own music club in Dublin. Dónal then joined with other musicians to create Emmet Spiceland. This group became very popular. They had a number one hit song in Ireland called "Mary from Dungloe" in 1968.
Working with Andy Irvine
In 1970, Dónal Lunny teamed up with Andy Irvine. They started their own club night called 'The Mug's Gig'. They played music together and invited other musicians to perform. Their performances were very exciting and new.
Planxty: A New Sound
In 1971, Dónal, Andy Irvine, and Liam O'Flynn played on Christy Moore's album, Prosperous. This led them to form the band Planxty. Their first show was in early 1972. Planxty became a leading band for Irish traditional music. They helped make this type of music popular again.
The Bothy Band: High Energy Music
Dónal Lunny left Planxty in 1974 to form The Bothy Band. He played guitar and bouzouki in this group. The Bothy Band quickly became one of the most important bands playing Irish traditional music. Their energy and amazing musical skills had a big impact. They inspired many other musicians. The band stopped playing together in 1979.
Moving Hearts: Blending Styles
After The Bothy Band, Dónal worked on different music projects. In 1981, he joined Christy Moore again to form Moving Hearts. They also had a young uilleann piper named Davy Spillane. Moving Hearts mixed Irish traditional music with rock and roll. They also added some jazz sounds. The group stopped playing in 1985. However, Moving Hearts reunited for concerts in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Coolfin: Solo and Group Projects
In 1987, Dónal Lunny released a solo album called Dónal Lunny. Many guest musicians played on it. In 1998, he created another group project album called Coolfin.
Mozaik: A Global Mix
Starting in 2002, Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine formed a band called Mozaik. This band included musicians from different countries. Mozaik has performed all over the world and released two albums.
LAPD: A Reunion of Friends
On 20 January 2012, Dónal Lunny played on stage with LAPD. This group was made up of musicians from Planxty. The name 'LAPD' comes from the first letters of their names: Liam O'Flynn, Andy Irvine, Paddy Glackin, and Dónal Lunny. They played several concerts before stopping in 2013.
Usher's Island: New Collaborations
On 27 January 2015, Dónal Lunny's newest band, Usher's Island, performed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow. This group includes Dónal, Andy Irvine, Paddy Glackin, Michael McGoldrick, and John Doyle.
Trio with Zoë Conway & Máirtín O'Connor
Dónal Lunny continues to play and create music in Ireland. He tours with many musicians. In September 2016, he formed a trio with Zoë Conway and Máirtín O'Connor.
Dónal Lunny's Production Work
When Moving Hearts stopped playing in 1985, Dónal Lunny started working more as a music producer. A producer helps musicians record their songs and albums. He had already produced music for other bands.
He helped start a new Irish record label called Mulligan Records. He produced and played on many of their first albums. He also worked on albums for Christy Moore and Kate Bush. Dónal played instruments on Shaun Davey's Granuaile. He also wrote music for films like Teardrops and Eat the Peach. He contributed to the soundtrack of the TV show The River of Sound.
Dónal was the producer and music director for Bringing It All Back Home. This was a TV series about how Irish music has influenced the world. He has played on or produced albums for many famous artists. These include Paul Brady, Elvis Costello, Sinéad O'Connor, and Clannad.
In 1994, he produced the first recording for Irish Australian singer Mairéid Sullivan. He also worked with Frank Harte on the album My Name is Napoleon Bonaparte in 2001. He produced the album Human Child (2007) for Faeroese singer Eivør Pálsdóttir.
As an arranger, he has worked for bands like The Waterboys. In 2003-2005, Dónal was part of the reunited Planxty concert tour. He also produced Jimmy MacCarthy's album Hey-Ho Believe in 2010.
Dónal Lunny's Influence on Music
Dónal Lunny helped make the bouzouki a popular instrument in Irish music. He received one from Andy Irvine. Dónal then had a special bouzouki made with a flat back.
He also created a special acoustic drum kit. This kit was designed to provide a bass and percussion sound for Irish traditional music. The process of making this instrument was shown on his TV series Lorg Lunny.
Dónal Lunny's Music Albums
Solo Albums
- Dónal Lunny (1987)
- Coolfin (1998)
- Journey: The Best of Dónal Lunny (2001)
With Christy Moore
- Prosperous (1972)
- Christy Moore (1976)
- Whatever Tickles Your Fancy (1976)
- Live in Dublin (1978)
- H-Block (1980)
- Christy Moore and Friends (1981)
- The Time Has Come (1983)
- Ride On (1984)
- The Spirit of Freedom (1985)
- Ordinary Man (1985)
- Unfinished Revolution (1987)
- Voyage (1989)
With Planxty
- Planxty (album) (1973)
- The Well Below the Valley (1973)
- Cold Blow and the Rainy Night (1974)
- After The Break (1979)
- The Woman I Loved So Well (1980)
- Words & Music (1983)
- Arís! (1984)
- Live 2004 CD/DVD (2004)
- Between the Jigs and the Reels: A Retrospective CD/DVD (2016)
With Andy Irvine and Paul Brady
- Andy Irvine/Paul Brady (1976)
- Welcome Here Kind Stranger (1978)
- Andy Irvine/70th Birthday Concert at Vicar St 2012 (2014)
With Mozaik
- Live from the Powerhouse (2004)
- Changing Trains (2007)
- The Long And The Short Of It (2019)
With Usher's Island
- Usher's Island (2017)
With The Bothy Band
- 1975 (1975)
- Old Hag You Have Killed Me (1976)
- Out of the Wind, Into the Sun (1977)
- Afterhours (Live in Paris) (1978)
- Live in Concert (1994)
With Moving Hearts
- Moving Hearts (1982)
- Dark End of the Street (1982)
- Live Hearts (1984)
- The Storm (1985)
- Live in Dublin (2008)
Other Albums and Guest Appearances
- Celtic Folkweave by Mick Hanly and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill (1974)
- Midnight Well by Midnight Well (1976)
- "Night of the Swallow" by Kate Bush (1981)
- Patrick Street by Patrick Street (1986)
- Altan by Frankie Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (1987)
- No Frontiers by Mary Black (1989)
- Golden Heart by Mark Knopfler (1996)
- The Rough Guide to Irish Music (1996)
- Idir an Dá Sholas by Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (1999)
- Marginal Moon by Soul Flower Union (1999)
- Sean-Nós Nua by Sinéad O'Connor (2002)
- Tráthnona Beag Areir by Albert Fry (2008)
- Imeall by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (2008)
- Ceol Cheann Dubhrann by various artists (2009)
- Hey-Ho Believe by Jimmy MacCarthy (2010)
Film and Video Appearances
- Planxty Live 2004 (2004), DVD
- The Transatlantic Sessions Series 3 (2007), DVD
- Moving Hearts Live in Dublin (2008), DVD
- Andy Irvine 70th Birthday Concert at Vicar St 2012 (2014), DVD
- Mozaik on Tour 2014 (2014), YouTube video
