THE funeral of talented singer-songwriter Ray Dunne took place in Athy, Co. Kildare on Friday, February 12.
Dunne, aged 34, is survived by his wife Jane, whom he married in March 2008 and their young son Conor, aged two years old.
Ray Dunne was well-known in Irish music circles in the North West of England, where he lived in Liverpool for nearly 10 years.
He recorded his debut album, Nothing Left to Say in the city’s famous Parr Street Studios in 2008. This led to radio appearances in the UK and Ireland and an appearance at Glastonbury.
Prior to moving to Liverpool, Dunne had lived and worked as a musician in Portugal, where he played solo gigs on the Irish circuit in the Algarve.
After moving to Armagh with his partner Jane, he worked with local band The Rustic Vandals and made a number of television appearances.
Dunne died alone, in tragic circumstances, in Armagh on February 8, 2016.
Long-standing friend Martin Cruse, from Liverpool, who played in The Ray Dunne Band for many years said: “Ray was an inspiration to anyone who worked with him.”
Dunne was well-known for his lively and friendly personality and he had many friends and fans in Liverpool, where he played regular gigs in pubs like Pogues, O'Neills and the St Micheal’s Irish Centre.
Those who knew him were shocked and saddened by his untimely death.
