Dublin, Ireland – Irish network RTE announced the death of Micheal Ó Domhnaill, a key figure in Irish folk music. Ó Domhnaill died at his Dublin home. It was reported that he died suddenly. The apparent cause of death was a heart attack, but no further details are available.

Micheal Ó Domhnaill's first group was 'Skara Brae', a singing group with his sisters Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, and Derryman Dáithí Sproule. Then followed a stint with Mick Hanly in a duo called Monroe. In 1975 he was a founder member of one of the most influential Irish traditional bands The Bothy Band. In the four years the band was together they toured extensively and recorded several highly acclaimed albums and although The Bothy Band broke up in 1979 their legacy still lives on in the young traditional bands coming out of Ireland today.

After the demise of The Bothy Band, Micheál moved to the United States of America where he played with many musicians including fiddle player Kevin Burke, also of the Bothy Band. Later with his sister Tríona and flute player Brian Dunning he formed Nightnoise which gained widespread recognition and acclaim throughout The United States and Europe.

[Photo courtesy of Kevin Burke].