Dennis Cahill: Tributes paid to renowned guitarist and founding member of The Gloaming who has died aged 68

Tributes are pouring in following news of the death of Dennis Cahill, one of the most acclaimed guitarists in traditional Irish music. He had turned 68 on Bloomsday, June 16.

In a statement posted on Cahill's website, musician Jimmy Keane shared the news, noting that the renowned guitarist "passed away peacefully on Monday evening, with his beloved Mary by his side as she has throughout his journey."

"Just moments before — we were comforting Dennis while The Lament for Limerick from Dennis’ album with Martin was on in the background — and as the track advanced to My Love is in America, Mary turned off the player, leaned over to hug and kiss Dennis one last time – and then he was gone," the statement continues. "​Play a tune today. Sing a song. Tell a corny joke. Sip a whiskey. Cherish a memory… My loving condolences to Mary, Cliodhna, the Cahill family, and all of Dennis’ many friends… Love you Dennis and rest gently in peace…"

Cahill is well-known for his long-time musical partnership with Martin Hayes, and alongside the Irish fiddler, was a founding member of the supergroup The Gloaming.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, to parents from Co. Kerry, Cahill studied at Chicago Music College. He met Hayes in Chicago in the '80s, with the two going on to form the band Midnight Court.

"Dennis Cahill was a wonderfully understated, sensitive and genuinely brilliant musician,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. "He brought a phenomenal lightness of touch and a beautiful empathy to his guitar playing, contributing massively to some of the most inspiring and enchanting records in the Irish folk and traditional music canon, and creating a new benchmark for rhythm players and accompanists. That he was a lovely, gorgeously unassuming and mischief-loving man with a great smile only adds to the terrible sense of loss that people who knew Dennis will surely feel today. But his memory will live on, long into the future, through his music."

Over the course of his career, Dennis performed for numerous Presidents, and won the Choice Music Prize with The Gloaming in 2015 for their self-titled debut album.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin is among those who have paid tribute to Cahill online following the sad news.

"I'm very sorry to hear that Dennis Cahill has passed away," she wrote. "His unique guitar playing had a huge impact on the Irish music tradition; he has left a beautiful catalogue of music behind him. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

I'm very sorry to hear that Dennis Cahill has passed away

His unique guitar playing had a huge impact on the Irish music tradition; he has left a beautiful catalogue of music behind him.

My thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/h4T1dUuKf3

— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 21, 2022

Watch his performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, and see more tributes to Dennis Cahill, below:

Very sad news today. Dennis played on some of the greatest recordings of Irish music ever made. Dennis Cahill RIP pic.twitter.com/KypqhAycvd

— John Kelly tweets (@johnkellytweets) June 21, 2022

I remember this OV Derry performance so clearly. It was an out of body experience! @byjimcarroll grabbed my arm and exclaimed 'I feel like I'm in Berghain!' as we watched and I totally understood what he meant. It was euphoric. Dennis's contribution will never be forgotten xx

— Molly King (@mollyk_ing_) June 21, 2022

We are saddened to hear of the passing of guitarist Dennis Cahill.

Dennis was no stranger to our stage, regularly performing with musical partner Martin Hayes & also with trad supergroup The Gloaming.

We extend our sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time #RIP pic.twitter.com/6E2bGX5crl

— National Concert Hall (@NCH_Music) June 21, 2022

Beannacht le Dennis Cahill. The most beautiful musician & a total gent. Thinking of his family, friends & musical collaborators @TheGloaming1 https://t.co/x5k4rOyOmo

— Dr Aoife Granville (@aoifegranville) June 21, 2022

I’m very sad about Dennis Cahill. He was so supportive of the music scene in Chicago, always came out to @martyrslive for a drink & chat on gig nights. Such a gentleman & exquisitely spare guitarist who could say more with one resonant note than most could with a bold sequence

— Dr Aileen Dillane (@aileen_dillane) June 21, 2022