The traditional Irish guitarist Dennis Cahill has died at the age of 68.
Cahill, who was known for his long musical partnership with Irish fiddler Martin Hayes, died on Monday evening.
“His beloved Mary [was] by his side as she has throughout his journey,” a notice on his website said.
“Just moments before — we were comforting Dennis while The Lament for Limerick from Dennis’ album with Martin was on in the background — and as the track advanced to My Love is in America, Mary turned off the player, leaned over to hug and kiss Dennis one last time – and then he was gone…”
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Cahill was born in Chicago in 1954 to immigrant parents from Co Kerry. He began playing guitar from the age of nine, later advancing to study at the Chicago Music College.
In 2001, an article in The Irish Times described his accompaniments as “never anything less than inspiringly cerebral”.
“These days he chooses the space between the notes as his playground, pirouetting with the agility of a Nureyev, with guitar and gorgeous mandolin as his only safety net.”
During a celebrated career, his website noted he had played for presidents and prime ministers.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it said, he developed into one of the most respected and innovative guitar players in the world of traditional Irish music.
