The award-winning member of The Gloaming has passed away.
Influential traditional Irish guitarist Dennis Cahill has died, aged 68.
Born in Chicago to parents from Kerry, Cahill began playing what would become his signature instrument at the age of nine.
Cahill began a long-lasting musical collaboration with acclaimed fiddler Martin Hayes in the late 1980s, beginning with the band Midnight Court before signing to Green Linnet as a duo.
The pair recorded three well-received albums together, including a live performance from Seattle.
Cahill and Hayes found major success, however, when they joined singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and pianist Thomas “Doveman” Bartlett in traditional supergroup The Gloaming.
The band’s self-titled first album won the Meteor Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year, along with the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Track of the Year with their rendition of ‘Samhradh Samhradh’ (Summer, Summer).
The band toured worldwide, recording two more studio albums and a live recording from the National Concert Hall.
Cahill’s death was confirmed via a statement on his personal website from fellow traditional music Jimmy Keane on Tuesday (21 June).
“Our dearest Dennis passed away peacefully on Monday evening, with his beloved Mary by his side as she has throughout his journey,” Jimmy said.
“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…
“Too heartbroken to write any more… 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…”
Suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam dílis.
Clip via OtherVoicesLive
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
