Born in 1938, Mr Moloney grew up in a musical family in north County Dublin.A piper, tin whistle player and composer, he formed The Chieftains in 1962. President Higgins said people around the world inspired by Mr Moloney’s music “will have learnt with great sadness” of his passing. He said Mr Maloney’s “extraordinary skills” were at the forefront of the renaissance of interest in Irish music. “He brought a love of Irish music not just to the diaspora, but to all those across the world who heard his music and appreciated it for its own sake as it transcended all musical boundaries,” he said.