DANIEL O’DONNELL PLUNGED INTO GRIEF AFTER DEATH OF HIS MANAGER KIERAN CAVANAGH
The Irish music world is mourning the loss of Kieran Cavanagh, one of the country’s most respected promoters and managers, who died on Tuesday following a battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by family at St Vincent’s Private Hospital. His passing has left Daniel O’Donnell, who counted Kieran as both manager and close friend, “plunged into grief.”
In a heartfelt tribute, O’Donnell shared the news with fans: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my friend and manager Kieran Cavanagh. RIP. Kieran died this morning in the wonderful care of St Vincent’s Private Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Please keep them in your prayers at this very difficult time.”
Cavanagh’s death brings to a close a remarkable career that spanned more than four decades and placed him at the very heart of both the Irish and international music scene. Born in Easkey, Co Sligo, Kieran first pursued music as a bassist in the 1970s with the showband The New Blues. But it was his sharp instinct for promotion and business that quickly set him apart.
At just 27, he orchestrated one of the most memorable tours in Irish history, flying to America to secure a deal that brought Johnny Cash to Ireland. The tour was a triumph, cementing Cavanagh’s reputation as a promoter with vision and determination. From there, he became a trusted figure to some of the biggest names in country music, arranging Irish tours for George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Glen Campbell, Tom T. Hall, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Buck Owens, and Kris Kristofferson.
Cavanagh’s career also took him into the wild orbit of Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock and country icon nicknamed “The Killer.” He not only brought Lewis to Ireland but also played a crucial role in reviving the star’s career during a time of financial crisis. After the IRS froze Lewis’s assets in the early 1990s, it was Cavanagh who stepped in to manage his tours, helping him clear debts and earn millions within a year. That period saw Cavanagh rubbing shoulders with rock and roll royalty such as Bruce Springsteen and Ronnie Wood, both of whom idolised Lewis.
Despite his success on the global stage, Kieran never lost sight of home. He had worked with Daniel O’Donnell as a promoter since the 1980s, staging his first major Dublin concert at The Point in 1992, a milestone that helped propel the Donegal singer to international recognition. When Daniel’s longtime manager Sean Reilly retired in 2015, it was only natural that Cavanagh stepped into the role, guiding O’Donnell’s career with the same steady hand and deep loyalty that had defined his life’s work.
For O’Donnell, Cavanagh was far more than a manager. He was a confidant, a friend, and a man who understood the unique demands of both the music business and the audiences it serves. Their partnership, built on trust and mutual respect, carried Daniel through tours, recordings, and a career that has touched millions of fans worldwide.
Funeral arrangements for Kieran Cavanagh have yet to be announced, but tributes are already pouring in from across the entertainment industry. Colleagues describe him as a man of warmth, humour, and relentless commitment to his artists. “He had a gift for bringing people together,” one associate remarked. “Whether it was Johnny Cash or Daniel O’Donnell, Kieran knew how to honour both the music and the person.”
As Daniel O’Donnell prepares to say goodbye to his friend, the grief is felt far beyond Donegal. The Irish music community has lost not just a promoter and manager, but a pioneer whose influence stretched from village halls to the world’s biggest stages. For Daniel, it is a personal loss that words can scarcely capture: the passing of a man who stood beside him for decades, shaping his career and sharing his journey.