Slán Abhaile, George Donaldson!

In Loving Memory of

George Donaldson (1968-2014)

Born: Glasgow, Scotland (Bus Builder)

Principle Singer of Celtic Thunder

Years Active: 1994-2014, performed with Celtic Thunder: 2007-2011, solo singer from 2011-2013

Solo Albums: "The White Rose" (2011), "The World in my Mind" (2013)

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Donaldson Family on the passing of their loving husband, father, brother and son George Donaldson. Before he began his music career, George spent many years in Glasgow making buses. As one of nine children and brought up in Glasgow's East End, George was a self-taught musician who was raised with a lifelong passion for Celtic music which was inspired by his late father Bernard. He was a well-known balladeer, proficient on the flute, and an accomplished guitarist who has shared the stage with such legendary artists as Phil Coulter, and the Dubliners' Jim McCann.

When he first joined Celtic Thunder in 2007, George quickly became known as the 'gentle giant' of the group. He was the oldest member of Celtic Thunder - as well as a husband and a father - so could be counted on to sing songs about home and family life. Along with Celtic Thunder, George has performed for rapturous audiences all around the world, including three sold out shows in New York’s ‘Radio City Music Hall” and has had the prestigious honour of performing for President Obama and the first Lady at the White House for a St Patrick’s Day celebration.

In addition to his stellar work with Celtic Thunder, Donaldson was a well-established artist in his own right, acclaimed as one of the finest singer/songwriters in the ever-vibrant Glasgow folk scene. He won the Irish Music Awards in both 2011 and 2012. George passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 of a massive heart attack. He was just 46 years old.

George is survived by his wife Carolyn, and daughter Sarah, who he described as 'the light of my life'.

God rest your soul, George, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!   

Slán Abhaile, George!

Slán Abhaile, Martin Fay!

In Loving Memory of

Martin Fay (1936-2012)

Born: Cabra, Dublin - (Fiddler and Bones Player)

Fiddler with The Chieftains

Years active: 1960-1969 with the Irish traditional band, Ceoltóirí Chualann; 1962-2001 with The Chieftains.

Albums: Martin Fay recorded more than 30 albums with the Chieftains until he stopped touring with the band in 2001.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Fay Family on the passing of their loving brother, husband, father and grandfather Martin Fay. Martin was inspired to take up music after seeing a movie about the life of the violinist Niccolò Paganini. Although his mother taught him to play the piano from an early age, by age 15, he had persuaded his father to buy him a violin. He was originally going to become a classically trained violinist and after leaving school at 18, worked in an office by day and in the evenings played in the Abbey Theatre orchestra, where he eventually met the theatre's musical director, Seán Ó Riada.   

Seán wanted to create a chamber orchestra that played arrangements of traditional folk music. Martin Fay's classical training, and a growing interest in Irish music, led him to join Ceoltóirí Chualann, Seán's new ensemble in 1960, with which he enjoyed some radio success. In 1962, Martin Fay was one of the original founding members of The Chieftains. The group's popularity soon extended beyond folk music enthusiasts and they had reached fame by 1975.

Martin passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. He was 76 years old and had suffered through a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife, Gráinne, also known as Gertie; a son, Fergal, a daughter, Dearbhla Fay; as well as a sister and a grandson.

God rest your soul, Martin, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!

Slán Abhaile, Martin! 

Slán Abhaile, Raylene Rankin!

In Loving Memory of

Raylene Rankin (1960-2012)

Born: Mabou, Nova Scotia - (Lawyer)

Singer with The Rankin Family

Years active: 1989-1999, performed sporadically with the newly reformed group: 2007-2012

Solo Albums: "Lambs in Spring" (2004), "All the Diamonds" (2011)

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Rankin Family on the passing of their loving sister, wife and mother Raylene Rankin. Before she began her music career, Raylene was admitted to the Bar in 1988. The entire family of 12 children would entertain their neighbors every third weekend as part of a traditional music céilidh. The first Rankin Family band formed in the 1970s when sisters Geraldine, Genevieve and Raylene joined their brothers John Morris and David, and began performing at local weddings and dances in Cape Breton.

As the older siblings went off to college, younger brother Jimmy and his sisters Cookie and Heather took their places. Raylene died on Sunday, 30 September 2012 after a decade-long battle with breast cancer. She was just 52.

Raylene is predeceased by her parents Kathleen and Alexander, her brother John Morris and her sister Geraldine, and her father-in-law Roderick Anderson. She is survived by her husband Colin and her son Alexander.

God rest your soul, Raylene, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!

Slán Abhaile, Raylene! 

Slán Abhaile, Larry Cunningham!

In Loving Memory of

Larry Cunningham (1938-2012)

Born: Clooneen, Mullinalaghta, Longford Ireland - (Carpenter)

Irish country music singer with The Mighty Avons and many other Irish showbands

Years active: 1961-2012

Our hearts and prayers go out to Cunningham Family on the passing of their loving brother, husband, father and grandfather Larry Cunningham. Before he began his music career, Larry left school at age 16 and moved to Derby, England to find work as a carpenter. By day he worked on building sites, while at night and on weekends, Larry pursued his passion for traditional music and Gaelic football.

In February 1972, Larry married Beatrice Nannery and they had four children and two grandchildren together. Following a long period of illness, Larry passed away on Friday, 28 September 2012 - he was 74. He is survived by his wife Beatrice, his daughters Regina and Sinead, sons Lorcan and Barry, and grandchildren Molly and Peter.

God rest your soul, Larry, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!

Slán Abhaile, Larry!