Noel Duggan Dies: Founding Member of Irish Folk Group Clannad Was 73
Noel Duggan, who helped bridge traditional Celtic music and pop as one of the founding members of Clannad, has died. A tweet from the group said he was 73 and “died suddenly in Donegal” on Saturday evening.
The group said it was “heartbroken” by the news, which it shared on its Twitter account.
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Clannad was formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their uncles Noel and Padraig.
“Noel will be forever remembered for his outstanding guitar solos, his love of music and his dedication to the band,” said the statement from Clannad.
Clannad came to its greatest attention when the band was asked to record the theme for ITV mini-series Harry’s Game, set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
They became the first band to sing in Irish on Top of the Pops in 1982.
No details on survivors or a memorial was immediately available.
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