Christy Moore pays tribute to 'dear friend' Dónal Lunny, the Planxty founder who has died aged 79

Dónal Lunny died from cancer on Friday morning at St James's hospital in Dublin. Taoiseach Micheál Martin hailed him as a "colossus" of Irish music. Moore first met him at Newbridge College in 1959, where Lunny preferred tickling trout to homework. Moore said Lunny was "a constant presence" in his working life from 1962 to 2026.

Bono once called Lunny Ireland's "answer to Quincy Jones".

Lunny also worked with Kate Bush, Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello and Mark Knopfler.

Moore handed him a lifetime achievement award at last year's RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.