Irish folk band Clannad's founding member, Noel Duggan, has died at the age of 73, the group confirmed on social media.
On the band's Twitter page, Clannad confirmed that Duggan died on Saturday evening. It did not disclose his exact cause of death, but the musician reportedly passed away "suddenly."
"We are heartbroken to share the news that Noel Duggan, our beloved Uncle, trusted friend, and founding member of Clannad, died suddenly in Donegal yesterday evening. He was 73 years old," it revealed alongside a photo of the late Duggan with the band members.
It added that the member would be remembered forever for his guitar solos, love for the band, and unmatched dedication and love for music.
Following the announcement of his death, colleagues, fans, and collaborators took their time to remember the late musician and expressed their shock over his sudden passing.
His death came six years after his twin brother and another Clannad founding member, Pádraig Duggan, died. The guitar and mandolin player succumbed in a Dublin hospital following a recurring illness, per BBC.
Details about Duggan's funeral or memorial are yet to be shared with the public. His survivors in the family have not also been named.
Noel Duggan's Music Career
Duggan formed Clannad in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal, alongside Padraig, Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan. It initially had the name Clann as Dobhar before shortening it to Clannad in 1973, soon after scoring a win at the Letterkenny Folk Festival through its hit song "Liza."
Within nine years, the band managed to release three albums and held a US tour.
Clannad welcomed its sixth member, Enya Brennan, who stayed from 1980 to 1982. She left afterward to focus on her solo career.
Among its hit albums include "Clannad," "Clannad 2," "Fuaim," "Magical Ring," "Sirius," "Legend," "The Angel and the Soldier Boy," "Lore," "Landmarks," and "Nadur" - the latter was its latest studio album released in 2013.
In 2018, Clannad gave its fans the live album "Turas 1980."
Among the music it created, the one they recorded for the ITV min-series, "Harry's Game," led the band to reach international success.
In 1982, it also made a record when it became the first band to sing in Irish on Top of the Pops.