Tributes to Irish folk band Clannad founder Noel Duggan who died ‘suddenly’ in Donegal aged 73
- Noel Duggan died suddenly in Donegal, Northern Ireland, on Saturday evening
- He was the founder of the Irish folk band Clannad, who were founded in 1970
- The band was founded by Duggan, his twin brother Padraig, and three relatives
- The group announced the 73-year-old’s death in a post on social media today
Tributes have been paid to founding member of Irish folk group Clannad – with the band praising his ‘outstanding guitar solos’ and his love of music.
Noel Duggan died suddenly in Donegal on Saturday evening aged 73, the group announced on social media.
The remaining members of the band, who were founded by Noel, his twin brother Padraig, and three of their nieces and nephews, said he would be ‘forever remembered’.
In a post online, they said: ‘We are heartbroken to share the news that Noel Duggan, our beloved Uncle, trusted friend, and founding member of Clannad, died suddenly in Donegal yesterday evening.
One of Clannad´s founding members, Noel Duggan (pictured far right), has died at the age of 73
‘He was 73 years old. Noel will be forever remembered for his outstanding guitar solos, his love of music and his dedication to the band.’
The Grammy award-winning Celtic band was founded in Gweedore, County Donegal in 1970 by siblings Maire (also known as Moya), Ciaran and Pol Brennan, and their uncles – twins Noel and Padraig Duggan.
The five-piece ‘decided to fuse folklore with an intrinsic passion for singing’, according to the band’s website.
The group went on to achieve huge international success over the decades.
Padraig Duggan died in August 2016 in a Dublin hospital after a recurring illness.
Another of the Brennan siblings, Enya, left the group in 1981 to embark on a successful solo career.
The Grammy award-winning Celtic band was founded in Gweedore, County Donegal in 1970 by siblings Maire (also known as Moya), Ciaran and Pol Brennan, and their uncles – twins Noel (pictured left) and Padraig Duggan
Clannad’s unique take on traditional Irish songs, coupled with influences from The Beatles to the Beach Boys, won them a folk festival competition and a record deal.
Their breakthrough hit Harry’s Game, theme track to the TV series of the same name, came in 1982.
Worldwide acclaim and a global touring schedule followed, with a string of albums and well-known hits including In A Lifetime, with Bono.
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