Dónal Lunny’s Wives and Family: Inside His Marriages, Long-Term Relationships and Children

The personal life of Dónal Lunny, one of Ireland’s most influential traditional musicians, has drawn renewed attention following his death on October 23, 2026, at the age of 79.

Widely respected for his work with Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, Lunny helped transform Irish traditional music through his innovative arrangements, distinctive bouzouki playing and work as a record producer. Away from the stage and recording studio, he experienced several important relationships, including two marriages and partnerships that became part of his family story.

Lunny was married first to Judy Slott and later to Japanese musician Hideko Itami. He also had relationships with German photographer Julie Buthe and Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, with whom he had a son, Shane. At the time of his death, his partner was Úna O’Boyle.

Although Lunny’s musical achievements were extensively documented, he generally kept much of his private life away from the spotlight. His family history is best understood by distinguishing his marriages from his other relationships.

Who Was Dónal Lunny’s Wife?

Dónal Lunny had two wives during his life: Judy Slott, whom he married first, and Japanese musician Hideko Itami, whom he married later.

His first marriage resulted in the birth of his son Oisín. His second marriage, to Itami, produced a daughter, Sora Chan.

Lunny also had children through relationships outside marriage. His daughter Cora Venus was born to his relationship with German photographer Julie Buthe, while his son Shane was born to singer Sinéad O’Connor.

At the time of his death, reports identified Úna O’Boyle as his partner. The available reporting does not establish that they were married, so she should be described as his partner rather than his wife.

These relationships formed different chapters of Lunny’s personal life, alongside a musical career that spanned more than six decades.

His First Wife: Judy Slott

Judy Slott was Dónal Lunny’s first wife. The couple married when Lunny was a young musician beginning to establish himself in Ireland’s folk music scene.

Their relationship belonged to an early period of his career, before his work with Planxty and The Bothy Band cemented his reputation as a leading figure in modern Irish traditional music.

Lunny and Slott had a son, Oisín Lunny, who later developed his own career in music and creative production.

Oisín became known for his work as a DJ and producer and was associated with Marxman, the Irish hip-hop group. His career reflected the musical interests that ran through the family, although his own work developed in a different direction from his father’s traditional music.

Lunny’s marriage to Judy Slott eventually ended. Public obituaries have documented their relationship and their son, but relatively little detail about their private life has been made widely available.

Slott generally remained outside the public attention that accompanied Lunny’s career, and it is important not to assume details about their marriage or separation beyond what reliable reports establish.

His Second Wife: Japanese Musician Hideko Itami

Lunny later married Hideko Itami, a Japanese musician whose musical background connected with his interest in collaboration across cultures.

Their marriage brought another chapter to Lunny’s family life. They had a daughter, Sora Chan, and Lunny spent time living in Japan with his family.

His interest in different musical traditions had long been a defining part of his professional work. Through collaborations with musicians from Ireland and abroad, he explored new ways to interpret traditional music while preserving its essential character.

His relationship with Itami was part of his personal life during a period in which his professional interests also extended across international musical communities.

The marriage eventually ended in separation. Recent obituary coverage identifies Itami as his former wife and Sora as their daughter.

Details about the couple’s private circumstances remain limited, and their separation should not be attributed to any particular cause without reliable evidence.

His Relationship With German Photographer Julie Buthe

Another important relationship in Lunny’s life was with German photographer Julie Buthe, whose name also appears in some accounts as Julia Buthe.

Their relationship resulted in the birth of their daughter, Cora Venus Lunny, who later became a respected musician in her own right.

Cora pursued a career as a violinist and composer, developing an artistic identity separate from her father’s achievements while remaining connected to the musical world in which she grew up.

Lunny discussed his relationship with Julie and his daughter in the documentary Dónal Lunny – Follow the Music. In accounts of his family life, he acknowledged that the demands of his musical career and living in different places affected how often he saw Cora.

Despite those practical challenges, music remained a connection between father and daughter.

Cora’s career is an important part of the wider Lunny family story, demonstrating how his musical influence extended beyond his own performances and recordings.

Dónal Lunny and Sinéad O’Connor

Dónal Lunny also had a relationship with Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, the internationally recognised artist known for her distinctive voice and emotionally powerful recordings.

The relationship resulted in the birth of their son, Shane O’Connor, in 2004.

Although Lunny and O’Connor were not married to each other, their connection remained an important part of his family history because they shared a child.

Shane died in January 2022 at the age of 17. His death was a devastating loss for his family. Sinéad O’Connor died in July 2023, leaving another profound loss in Shane’s family story.

Lunny’s own death in October 2026 means that his children and other surviving relatives are now left to remember a man whose life encompassed both extraordinary musical achievements and deeply personal family experiences.

It is important to approach these events with sensitivity and avoid speculating about private family matters or the circumstances surrounding Shane’s death.

Who Was Dónal Lunny’s Partner at the Time of His Death?

At the time of his death, Dónal Lunny’s partner was Úna O’Boyle.

RTÉ identified O’Boyle as his loving partner in its report announcing his death on October 23, 2026. Musician Sharon Shannon also referred to Lunny’s partner while expressing condolences to his family and friends.

Publicly available reporting provides limited information about O’Boyle’s personal background or the length of their relationship. There is also no verified basis in the sources reviewed for describing her as Lunny’s wife.

The distinction matters because a long-term partner and a spouse are not necessarily the same, and reliable biographical writing should reflect the terminology used by credible sources.

O’Boyle was among the people acknowledged in the tributes following Lunny’s death, as Ireland’s music community remembered his work and the personal relationships that shaped his life.

How Many Children Did Dónal Lunny Have?

Dónal Lunny had four children: Oisín Lunny, Cora Venus Lunny, Sora Chan and Shane O’Connor.

Each child was born through a different chapter of his personal life.

• Oisín Lunny: His son with his first wife, Judy Slott. Oisín pursued work as a DJ and music producer.
• Cora Venus Lunny: His daughter with German photographer Julie Buthe. She became a violinist and composer.
• Sora Chan: His daughter with Japanese musician Hideko Itami, his second wife.
• Shane O’Connor: His son with singer Sinéad O’Connor. Shane died in January 2022 at the age of 17.

Lunny’s children represent an important part of his legacy beyond his recordings and performances. Two of them, Oisín and Cora Venus, developed careers in music, while Sora and Shane were also central to his family life.

He was also part of a wider family that included his brother Manus Lunny, another musician and producer.

Dónal Lunny’s Family Life Away From Music

Lunny was known publicly for his musical creativity, collaborations and willingness to explore new sounds. His private life, by contrast, received less attention than his professional achievements.

His relationships took place across different stages of a long career, with family life sometimes intersecting with the demands of recording, touring and living in different countries.

The available accounts suggest that his family included people with diverse creative interests, from traditional and classical music to DJing and production.

His experiences also reflected the practical difficulties that can arise when a musician’s career requires extensive travel and work across different locations. Lunny spoke openly at times about the challenges of balancing his professional commitments with family relationships.

Nevertheless, his children and partner were remembered in the tributes that followed his death, alongside his siblings, friends and musical collaborators.

Remembering Dónal Lunny Beyond His Marriages

Although searches for Dónal Lunny’s wife and family have increased following his death, his legacy extends far beyond his personal relationships.

Born in Tullamore, County Offaly, in March 1947, Lunny became a central figure in the modern revival of Irish traditional music. He was a founding member of Planxty, joined The Bothy Band and later helped establish Moving Hearts.

He also became a highly regarded producer and arranger, collaborating with artists across genres and helping introduce Irish music to new audiences.

His approach combined a deep understanding of traditional forms with an enthusiasm for innovation. His use of the bouzouki helped establish the instrument as an important part of modern Irish traditional music.

Lunny died on October 23, 2026, aged 79. His music and influence remain a major part of Ireland’s cultural history, while his family story offers a more personal view of the man behind the performances and recordings.

Key Facts About Dónal Lunny’s Wives and Family

Disclaimer

This article is based on published obituaries and biographical reporting about Dónal Lunny. It distinguishes his documented marriages from other relationships and does not describe his partner Úna O’Boyle as his wife because that marital status was not established by the sources reviewed. Details of private family relationships are included only where supported by reliable public reporting.