MARTIN FAY, A founding member of the traditional Irish band The Chieftains has passed away. He was 76.

Having helped form the band in 1962, he toured the world with them until 2001, before retiring completely from the group the following year.

The Cabra, Dublin native played both the fiddle and the bones within the group.

His love of music started having watched a film about the Italian musician Niccolò Paganini.

This prompted an initial interest in classical music rather than the traditional Irish music that he would later become internationally known for.

He changed direction musically, however, joining the group Ceoltóirí Cualann in the years before The Chieftains.

The Chieftains paid tribute to Fay on their website with the following message:

The Chieftains are sad to announce that original member Martin Fay has passed away at the age of 76. Martin’s memory and music will be with The Chieftains always. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife Gráinne.



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