“With sad hearts, the family of Liam Reilly, musician, songwriter and frontman of Bagatelle, wish to confirm that he passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home on January 1st,” his family said in a statement. “We know that his many friends and countless fans around the world will share in our grief as we mourn his loss, but celebrate the extraordinary talent of the man whose songs meant so much to so many.”

Reilly, who hailed from Dundalk, Ireland –- where he was born on January 29, 1955 — but moved to Savannah, Georgia in the mid-1980s, wrote such songs as “Flight of the Earls,” “The Streets of New York,” “Second Violin,” and Bagatelle’s signature hit “Summer in Dublin.” He formed Bagatelle in 1978, along with drummer Walter (Wally) McConville, bass player Ken Doyle and guitarist John O’Brien. “Summer in Dublin,” its best-known song, appeared on the band’s 1980 debut album.

Here’s a link to view a video of Liam Reilly performing “Summer in Dublin” on Irish television:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLOnh4h-Og

Reilly, who was also Bagatelle’s keyboardist, left the band in the mid-1980s to pursue a solo career. Representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990, Reilly took second place with his performance of “Somewhere in Europe.”

Here’s a link to view a video of Liam Reilly performing “Somewhere in Europe” at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ijcjpcHOHqI

Besides writing songs for Bagatelle and his own recordings, Reilly composed songs for others and such artists as Phil Coulter, James Galway, Paddy Reilly, and The Wolfe Tones, among many others, have covered his songs. The Wolfe Tones had a big hit with their rendition of “The Streets of New York,” Reilly’s song about Irish emigration. Here’s a link to view a lyric video for The Wolfe Tones’ rendition of “The Streets of New York:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvgo1rv40bA

In social media posts following his death, The Wolfe Tones described him as a “master songwriter.” U2 frontman Bono previously cited Reilly and Bagatelle as early influences.

And here’s a link to watch Liam Reilly perform “The Flight of Earls:”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U-TgjKp5QgY

Harpist and singer Orla Fallon is nominated in four categories, while Luka Bloom, Martin Hayes, The High Kings, Van Morrison and The Wolfe Tones each received two nods. Names and photos of the winners will be posted at www.irishmusicawards.com on January 28.

Irish Music Awards nominees for 2009 include:

Top Solo Performer in Concert: Van Morrison, Luka Bloom, Christy Moore, Orla Fallon

Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue: Luka Bloom, Harry O’Donoghue, Seamus Kennedy

Top Duo in Pub, Festival, and Concert: Ellis Island, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Stephens Green

Top Group: Gaelic Storm, The Chieftains, The Wolfe Tones, Celtic Woman

Best New Irish Music Artist(s): Cara, Connachttown, The Rum Brothers

Top Celtic Rock Band: Bad Haggis, The Indulgers, Seven Nations, Screaming Orphans

Best Irish Tenor (individual): John McDermott, Anthony Kearns

Best Female Vocalist (individual/traditional): Mary Black, Deidre Shannon, Orla Fallon, Maria Doyle Kennedy

Best Sean-nos Singer: Iarla O Lionnaird, Brian O’hAirt, Brid Ni Mhaoilchiarain

Top Traditional Performance Show: Dublin City Ramblers, The High Kings, Switchback, Slide

Top Traditional Group – In Festival, Pub & Concert: The High Kings, Bua, Cherish the Ladies, The Beer Mats

Tommy Makem Award: John Doyle, Orla Fallon, Jimmy Crowley and Mairtin de Coagain

Top Harpist: Patrick Harvey, Darren Raleigh, Orla Fallon

Top Uilleann Piper: Tim Britton, John McSherry, Eric Rigler

Top Fiddle: Liz Carroll, Natalie MacMaster, Maired Nesbitt, Martin Hayes

Top Button Accordion: John Whelan, Liam O’Connor

Lifetime Achievement Award: Van Morrison, The Wolfe Tones, Donal Lunny, Bill Whelan

The Irish Music Association produces, promotes and perpetuates Irish music through sponsored events, festivals, concerts, pub shows, and an annual network production, according to its website.