Paralympics Ireland is saddened to learn of the passing of Dónal Lunny, one of Ireland’s most influential and respected musicians, who played a special role in celebrating Team Ireland’s participation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games through a unique musical collaboration between Ireland and Japan.
Dónal, who passed away on Friday, 23 October, aged 79, was a pioneering figure in Irish traditional music whose extraordinary career spanned more than five decades. A founding member of Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, he helped shape the sound of modern Irish traditional music, introducing new influences and bringing Ireland’s musical heritage to audiences around the world.
Renowned for his work as a musician, composer, arranger and producer, Dónal was also recognised for his openness to collaboration and his interest in exploring the musical traditions of other cultures.
It was this spirit of creativity and cultural exchange that brought him together with Paralympics Ireland ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
A Special Musical Collaboration Between Ireland and Japan
In 2021, Dónal collaborated with renowned Japanese taiko musician Hiro Hayashida on ParaBeats, a musical project celebrating Team Ireland’s participation in the Tokyo Paralympic Games and the friendship between Ireland and the Japanese city of Narita.
Narita had been selected as Team Ireland’s host city for its pre-Games acclimatisation camp, establishing a close relationship between the Irish Paralympic delegation and the local community.
The musical collaboration grew from this relationship and a shared appreciation of the rich cultural traditions of both countries.
Following visits to Dublin by representatives from Narita City beginning in 2018, connections were identified between Irish and Japanese traditional music through engagement with Experience Japan, an organisation dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between the two countries.
The resulting project brought together Dónal and Hayashida, one of Japan’s leading taiko performers, to create an original musical composition combining elements of Irish traditional music and Japanese drumming.
Dónal had a longstanding connection with Japanese music and culture, having previously collaborated with Japanese musicians, including the internationally renowned taiko ensemble Kodo, and spent time living in Okinawa.
For the ParaBeats collaboration, he was joined by Irish musicians Cora Venus Lunny on violin, James Mahon on uilleann pipes and Robbie Walsh on bodhrán.
Together with Hayashida, the musicians brought their respective traditions to a composition created to mark Team Ireland’s participation in the Paralympic Games.
Celebrating Inclusion Through Music and Sport
The composition was officially unveiled on 11 February 2021 during ParaBeats! Let’s Play Courage, an online inclusivity symposium and concert hosted by Narita City.
The event brought together representatives from Ireland and Japan to celebrate the relationship between the two countries while highlighting the importance of disability inclusion through music, sport and cultural exchange.
The wider initiative involved Paralympics Ireland, Narita City, Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland and Experience Japan, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ireland in Japan.
Alongside the musical collaboration, the project sought to raise awareness of disability communities in both countries and create opportunities for greater understanding and inclusion.
At the time of the project’s announcement, then CEO of Paralympics Ireland, Miriam Malone, welcomed the collaboration and the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Ireland and Narita.
“The Paralympic Games provides such a wonderful opportunity to create a strong and lasting link between Japan, and Narita City in particular, and Ireland. We are well aware of the power of music and the incredible traditional musical histories of both nations so this is a wonderful way to celebrate our growing friendship.”
The project reflected the wider significance of the Paralympic Games, demonstrating how sport can bring people and communities together while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and lasting international friendships.
For Paralympics Ireland, ParaBeats became a memorable part of the journey to Tokyo 2020, connecting Team Ireland with its Japanese hosts through a shared celebration of music, culture and inclusion.
Remembering Dónal’s Extraordinary Legacy
Throughout his career, Dónal Lunny remained one of the most influential figures in Irish music, helping to redefine traditional music while encouraging new generations of musicians to explore and develop their craft.
His pioneering use of the bouzouki, innovative arrangements and extensive collaborations with artists from Ireland and around the world helped establish a musical legacy that continues to influence performers today.
In 2025, his contribution to Irish music was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Irish Folk Awards.
His involvement in ParaBeats reflected the same curiosity, generosity and collaborative spirit that characterised his remarkable career.
By bringing together Irish and Japanese musical traditions, the project demonstrated the ability of music to connect people across languages, cultures and backgrounds, while celebrating the shared values of friendship and inclusion that are central to the Paralympic Movement.
For Paralympics Ireland, Dónal’s contribution to the Tokyo 2020 journey remains a valued part of our history and a reminder of the connections that can be created through the Paralympic Games, extending far beyond sporting competition.
We remember with gratitude his involvement in this special project, his willingness to share his extraordinary musical talent and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.
Paralympics Ireland extends its sincere condolences to Dónal’s family, friends, fellow musicians and all those whose lives were enriched by his music.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
