Popular and well-known Armagh singer-songwriter Ray Dunne was found dead yesterday afternoon.
The father-of-one passed away suddenly in tragic circumstances.
Ray is originally from Athy, county Kildare but had lived in Armagh for a number of years.
Close friend and local councillor for the area, Garath keating, spoke to Armagh I.
Extending his sympathies, he said: “Ray was a tremendous musician and the news of his untimely death is heartbreaking.
“He was a joyful and colourful character, who brought a smile to the faces of people around him with his musical performances.
“He will be fondly remembered and my thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Ray Dunne
Ray began his career at the age of 15 playing gigs in his hometown and further afield with the band Seanchai.
At 21, Ray moved to Portugal where he played solo gigs on the Irish circuit in the Algarve before heading to Liverpool.
It was in Liverpool and the North West of The UK that Ray established himself on the Irish Circuit.
In 2008 Ray released the single “Nothing Left to say” off the album and did a nationwide tour across Ireland. The tour gained great reviews and Ray received a lot of media attention performing on the country’s leading radio stations.
It was also the same year where he played at Glastonbury to a packed tent.
In 2009 Ray was one of the headline acts at City of Song Festival in Derry and he also performed at the Playhouse theatre. He has since performed at the Liverpool Irish Festival.
He joined with the Armagh Rhymers in 2011 and performed to audiences including a TV appearance on RTE’s Nationwide along with a tour across the UK from Glasgow to London, as well as The Baltic States.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time. May he rest in peace.
