Influential Irish sound engineer Paul Aungier has died

Paul Aungier, the highly influential Irish sound engineer and designer, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 16.

Hailing from Dublin’s Northside, Aungier first came into the music business via a band called the Fast Skirts and a brief stint in Rocky De Valera’s Rhythm Kings.

He would later go on the road with Blue In Heaven along with fellow sound engineer Paul Keegan – before joining Mikam Sound Ireland to undertake sound duties on a Maura O’Connell tour.

He handled sound for In Tua Nua, following which he spent four years touring worldwide with Nanci Griffith.

Aungier was also a long-term associate of The Chieftains, accompanying them on their European forays, and liaised with RTÉ for the provision of auditorium sound for the nation's successful run of Eurovision victories in The Point.

He also installed the sound system in Vicar Street, and had a long-established working relationship with Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions, taking care of sound for large-scale events.

Paul is survived by his wife Orla, his children Rory, Kate, Leo and Thomas, and all of his family.

"We were very saddened to hear of the passing in the early hours of this morning of our great friend and sound engineer Paul Aungier," In Tua Nua posted on social media this week, in response to the sad news. "A Howth man, Paul did many Irish tours with us in the 80s plus a few European ones. Paul never got flustered, always had a joke at the ready, and kept everything rolling forward with his positivity and enthusiasm. He will be sadly missed. Our deepest condolences to his wife Orla and all of the family."