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Condolences for Mícheál Ó'Domhnaill

Mícheál Ó‘Domhnaill was found dead at 17.30 on Saturday, 8 July 2006. He was 54.
He was buried in his home town of Kells, Co. Meath, on 12 July.
Obituaries and more information here.
To express your condolences on his untimely passing, click below.

Posted Jul 17, 11:32 pm
John Rynne   

Comments made

  1. Mikel

    Bye to great composers and musicians: Johny, Micheal.
    Thanks for have been here and make us more happy and paceful.
    I enjoy Nightnoise’s recordings yet.
    Love, Freedeom and Peace,
    Mikel


    Jul 18, 12:15 am

  2. Stephen

    When listening to Nightnoise one is struck how well they played together and the respect that they had for each other and the music they played. I am saddened to hear of the loss of both Micheal and Johnny (before him). They were part of a superior group. I am happy to still enjoy their music and the peace it brought me. God bless them.


    Jul 18, 10:49 pm

  3. Trust

    I’m really sad about this bad news….they were and are, a really great group…


    Jul 19, 08:33 pm

  4. Frank Resulta

    I’m a realtor from the beautiful country of the Philippines, an avid collector of Nightnoise music & anything that sounds like them, I listen to them as I go about my road trips in my country – with nature views, beaches & as well as highlands blending with their mournful but ethereal ballads. In most occasions, Nightnoise has been my constant companion, even during my deepest contemplations in solitude. For years, it was my dream to see a Nightnoise concert. I will take my chance to go where they are once they have their much awaited reunion concert. But one of the cornerstone of the group, Micheal, left us. I mourn with you all. But the tunes will immortalize each of them – in our hearts & spirit… and the generations to come who would be blessed to hear their music. My condolences to everybody, as we are all part of the Nightnoise family around the world. If by any chance, anyone amongst you would visit my country, I would be happy to see you, fellowship and talk how Nightnoise have touched each of our lives.
    May God bless you all.
    FRANK RESULTA
    Manila, Philippines
    P.S. As I make this email, I’m listening to “End of the Evening” “19A” and “Nollaig,” the music carried me through…


    Jul 19, 11:04 pm

  5. Andrés Filsoleil

    Micheal was a true genius! Since his work with the Bothy Band, where he truly gave birth to the high energy guitar rythms of modern celtic music, to the subtlety and harmonic beauty of his guitar chords with Nightnoise he showed there was no one like him. I admire him deeply, being myself a musician that plays celtic music in Colombia, South America.

    His death is really very bad news for the musical world. Once in a century you see a person that can really open paths for others through his genius, efforts and generous heart.

    I´ve learned a lot from his guitar playing and still have a lot more to learn from him. I will keep him alive by listening to his extraordinary music.

    My deep condolences to his family and friends.

    May the fire of his keltoi spirit live in all of us for ever!


    Jul 21, 08:22 am

  6. Bud Dennis

    He and his music will be sorely missed.


    Jul 21, 04:55 pm

  7. Steve Zebrasky

    This man was the single most influential guitarist I had ever heard since Phil Keaggy and Michael Hedges when I bought the first Nighnoise cd prompted from an interview on NPR with he and Billy Oskay heard while driving home back in the 1980’s. His understated style of playing, with such soulful precision could get a person just listening to the guitar underneath it all, over and over. I am priviledged to have seen him live with Relativity, and am truely shaken when my son gave me this news today. One often thinks brilliance that shines so bright will be with us forever. I am an unabashed fanatic of his artistry!!! Condolences to family and friends. Steve & Val Zebrasky


    Jul 22, 06:03 pm

  8. Domingo Bejarano

    Desde Salamanca ( España ). Han pasado muchos años pero aún se puede escuchar ” Bridges ” si paseas de noche por la Plaza de Anaya, a la altura del Juan del Encina, un teatro que hoy ya no existe.

    Nunca caminarás solo Micheál.


    Jul 31, 01:36 am

  9. Ricardo Colmenares

    I’m gutted :( It’s hard to belive such a talented man with so much life ahead of him could be gone. Rest in Peace, Micheal, and thank you for an amazing legacy. My prayers are with his family and friends.


    Aug 2, 10:06 pm

  10. Steve

    I just found out tonight that Micheal O’Domhnaill is no longer with us. He was the soul of Bothy Band, one of the most brilliant Irish traditional bands that will never be repeated. I remember a dry period after they broke up and then in the mid 80’s thumbing through records looking for Christmas songs and happening upon a Windhim Hills Christmas album, seeing his name and playing “Bring me back a song”. It brought tears to my eyes. I will miss his music so much. My condolences to his also magically talented sister, Triona. Thank you both for all the happy moments you have given me in your music.

    St.Catharines
    Ontario, Canada


    Aug 7, 03:34 am

  11. Jose Antonio

    Me gustaria dar mis condolencias por el fallecimiento de Micheal yo soy español y comenzé escuchando su musica en el programa dialogos tres para mi era un musico fantastico y es triste ver como van falleciendo musicos celtas que todavia tienen tanto que ofrecer con su musica pero creo que Micheal sigue vivo al escuchar sus trabajos en nightnoise,Relativity o la Bothyband,aun recuerdo una actuacion de nightnoise una noche en el teatro Cervantes de Málaga , ,Gracias por habernosdado tanta musica


    Aug 7, 07:41 pm

  12. Jose Antonio

    Pocos grupos han llevado la música irlandesa el tercer milenio como la Bothy Band grupo formado por músicos tradicionales con muchos años de música a sus espaldas, como suele ser normal en Irlanda, Mícheál con la guitarra en mano y su hermana Tríona a los teclados eran inconfundibles en sus actuaciones con Donal Lunny al bozuki, Paddy Keenan a la gaita y Matt Molloy a la flauta, luego el grupo Relativity con los hermanos Cunningham, lo mejor de Escocia y lo mejor de Irlanda, mas tarde su marcha a Estados Unidos y formacion con Billy Oskay de Nightnoise, luego con Johnny Cunningham, otro músico que desapareció antes de tiempo, era común verlo tocar en Nightnoise sentado concentrado en su instrumento, es fue y será un músico recordado en la Historia de la música irlandesa.
    Aug 7, 08:37 pm

  13. Arturo Segura

    I write from Spain. I read this on Friday evening, and I find no words to describe my state of heart and soul yet. I could talk to Mícheál several times after Nightnoise concerts during the 90´s here in Spain, and I remember him as an extraordinarily interesting and sensitive man. I suppose that his music was (is) the mirror of his own, his perfect image. From now on, my personal tribute to Mícheál will be still listening (as ever) his music, and praying for him. He helped me with his music to build and discover myself, so I will thank the Lord forever because he is a gift for me. I also specially remember these days Tríona, Billy Oskay, Brian Dunning, Kevin Burke and so many. Well then, finally I also thank John Rynne for afford the opportunity of expressing my thoughts.
    Aug 14, 11:45 pm

  14. Carlos Hernández

    Hace días que escuché la noticia en boca de Ramón Trecet, el mismo que presentaba en Radio 3 su trabajo Nightnoise en la radio española la primera vez que supe de él. Es desconsolador que nos dejen tan pronto artistas de la talla de Micheal, su música hablará por ellos en lo sucesivo e inspirará a otros para que completen lo que estos no han podido.


    Aug 16, 11:37 pm

  15. Jose Angel Garcia

    I regret deeply the loss of Mícheál. Such a wonderful musician will be always alive in the music he gave to us. I was fortunate enough to attend four of his concerts and meet him personally. I will remember him as the man who pumped the heart of Nightnoise with is guitar. My condolences to his family and friends.
    Aug 17, 05:35 pm

  16. Damian Amaro

    The man has passed by. His soul and his spirit lives in his music and the feelings it resembles in our minds and hearts. My condolences to the O’Donnell family. A thought for Micheal, Johnny and for the friends of Nightnoise from Spain.
    Aug 21, 10:23 am

  17. Jesus

    Te echaremos de menos desde Sevilla (España) We missed you…from Seville (Spain).... Good bye, friend
    Aug 28, 07:50 pm

  18. The Malone Family

    Have been unable to bring myself to write prior to this; Micheal was a friend of many years,an inspiration, as a musician, and a blessing to our son, Liam, who is afflicted with autism, and to whom Micheal’s singing provided such solace.
    We offer our condolences to all the family.
    Sep 12, 12:57 am

  19. García-Sacristán family

    To Mícheál Ó Domhnaill´s family and friends wherever they might be:
    Ní maith linn bhur dtrioblóid.


    Sep 13, 09:45 am

  20. Jose L. Quintana

    These are really bad bad news for traditional music all aroud the world. One of the souls of the “BEST” traditional music group of the hole history. Clearence, brightness and real instruments sound. We’ve lost somethig about all that. God bless him and his family and friends in these sad moments.


    Sep 14, 05:15 pm

  21. Eoghan Ballard

    Char chuala mé fá bás Mhícheál roimhe indiu. Tá an-brón orm a chluinstin fá dtaobh do. Gidh nar fhaca mé oraibh i mbliadhantai fada, ba mhaith liom mo chuid smaointe a chur chuig theaghlach Uí Dhomhnaill uilig ins an am dubhach seo. Is mór a chailleamhaint é. Guidhim na grásta do mo chroí go bráthach leat, a Mhicí.


    Sep 29, 05:37 pm

  22. Wylie Cox

    What a loss to the world…. May the gods bless and keep him. Thank you forever Micheal.


    Oct 19, 12:15 am

  23. Martina Bedregal Calderón

    May Michael rest in peace and his soul walk in the light.


    Oct 22, 05:49 pm

  24. Karen Olsen

    Alas, I heard about this sad event quite recently. So many untimely deaths have been thrust upon us in the past few months; and now, yet another cruel pilfering by fate of the creative genius of our world! There is no replacing the soul and passion that came from Mícheál’s voice, guitar and keyboards for many years; and I feel blessed at having discovered him over twenty years ago. My condolences and prayers for peace and comfort go out to his family, friends and musical collaborators in many nations. May he continue his beautiful music in a better and more peaceful place; and may we meet there again one day…


    Oct 26, 01:40 am

  25. Antonio Fernández

    Son tantos los momentos buenos que he disfrutado con tu música, tantos los recuerdos gratos que me transmite, tanta paz, tanta cercanía a la naturaleza,... que es difícil pensar que ya no estás, aunque eso sí, tu música estará siempre presente en mi vida. Recuerdo una vez antes de una actuación de Nightnoise en Granada, que coincidí contigo en un bar. Estabas sólo tomando una cerveza y verte cerca fue como un espejismo. La persona que me había hecho disfrutar tanto oyendo su música, ahí al lado. No te saludé (supongo que estarías harto de saludos y autógrafos) pero, al verte descubierto, hubo un cruce de miradas cómplices entre ambos y una sonrisa en medio de la gente que se me quedará grabada para siempre. Gracias por tu música Michael. Disfrutaremos mientras nos quede “Something of time”.
    Nov 6, 07:50 am

  26. Paul Smith

    I just found out today. How sad to lose such a generous and wonderful musical spirit. He produced a record I made for Flying Fish in 1984, and having him take me through the production of that project was the most profound musical learning experience of my life. I am forever grateful to him.


    Nov 11, 02:45 am

  27. Harld Warren

    This is a tragedy for the sons and daughters of Ireland, no matter where they have landed or what other names may have gotten mixed into the pot. It is the music of Ireland that calls our hearts home, even across oceans of distance and of time. This is a great loss to us all.

    I
    Nov 14, 08:04 am