Family of Dónal Lunny encourage fans "to play and share" his music this weekend, as funeral arrangements announced

Dónal Lunny's family have announced funeral arrangements - to be held at St Conleth's Parish Church in Newbridge on October 31 - and have encouraged fans to "play and share" his music this weekend.

They have also asked well-wishers to join them by watching the funeral ceremony at 11 am via live stream, as capacity in the church is limited to family and close friends.

"In Dónal's memory, his family would also like to encourage people throughout the world (including the moon!) to play and share music with friends and family this weekend, celebrating the joy and connection that Dónal's music brought to so many," reads a statement.

"Please feel free to share your words and music using the hashtag #donallunnyfleadh"

A public book of condolences will also be available to sign at The Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge. Alternatively, they can be left online.

Lunny died on October 23, aged 79, surrounded by family.

The multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer has been involved with some of the country's most innovative acts since the '70s - including Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. He also co-founded Mulligan Records and produced 17 albums for the label.

A member of Aosdána, Lunny received an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin in 2008.

Last year, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

"It's only when I look back at my career that I see the road I have travelled and the wonderful friends I have made through this community and getting this award means so much to me – the recognition of a lifetime making music," Lunny told RTÉ News.

A feature-length documentary titled In Time: Dónal Lunny was released last year, exploring his life career. As is noted in the documentary, he became seriously ill during the making of the film, in 2024.

Back in August, Lunny performed at Electric Picnic, alongside Máirtín O'Connor and Zoë Conway.

President Catherine Connolly has recently added her voice to the tributes pouring in for Lunny.

"As President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and many musical collaborators of Dónal Lunny," President Connolly said.

"Dónal was one of Ireland’s greatest musical figures, a wonderfully talented musician and producer who was central to so many of the most influential moments of the last 60 years of Irish music ... Beyond his music, Dónal will be remembered for his warmth and the strong connection which he had with audiences all over Ireland and beyond."

Hot Press editor Niall Stokes has also paid respect, writing:

"Dónal Lunny was one of the real, enduring greats of Irish music. I knew of his legend from the Emmet Spiceland days, but it was in the Planxty era that I first got to know him. He was, I immediately thought, a lovely man with a wonderful sense of mischief and a truly winning smile.

"But, of course, he was also a marvellous musician, who provided the inspiration for some of the greatest Irish music of the past fifty years and more."

The livestream of the funeral will be available here, and condolences can be made here.