Famed songwriter Johnny Duhan dies aged 74 while swimming off Galway coast

The man who died while swimming off the coast of Galway in Ireland has been named as renowned singer-songwriter Johnny Duhan.

Tributes have been paid to Duhan, 74, who had written songs recorded by artists such as Christy Moore, The Dubliners and Mary Black.

Moore previously dubbed Duhan ‘one of our greatest songwriters’ and the late Ronnie Drew described him as ‘one of my favourite songwriters’.

A search will resume on Wednesday for a woman who has also been reported missing in the area.

Police said they received a report on Tuesday that a man failed to return to shore after a swim at Silver Strand.

At about 1.40pm, the body of a man was recovered from the water close to Silver Strand by RNLI and taken to Galway University Hospital.

The man was later named as Duhan, best known as the writer of The Voyage, which was made famous by Moore.

He had also recorded a number of albums as singer himself.

A death notice for Duhan said he died while taking his daily swim in Galway Bay.

While police were at the scene where Duhan died, they became aware that a woman had entered the water and failed to return from a swim.

The search involving the coast guard, the RNLI and local volunteers will resume on Wednesday.

He is survived by his wife Maureen and five children Ronan, Niamh, Kevin, Ailbhe and Brian, ten grandchildren, four sisters and three brothers.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sinn Fein senator Paul Gavan said it was ‘very sad news’.

He added: ‘I saw him play live in the 1980s a number of times in Limerick. A great writer and performer and a warm and thoughtful man.’

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said on X: ‘I’m really sorry to hear of the death of Johnny Duhan. One of our finest songwriters and creative writers.’

Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was ‘terribly sad news tonight from Galway’.

He added: ‘Johnny Duhan was a renowned and much loved songwriter.

‘Thinking of his family and loved ones at this very sad time.