[4]: 6  As a teenager, Lunny joined an occasional trio called Rakes of Kildare with his elder brother Frank and Christy Moore.

He also developed an interest in metalwork leading him to become a skilled gold- and silversmith, although he only practised the craft for a short time before devoting his energies fully to music.

[4]: 53–54  During his time in Dublin, he played in a band called The Parnell Folk, with Mick Moloney, Sean Corcoran, Johnny Morrissey and Dan Maher.

[4]: 53 In 1970, Lunny formed a musical partnership with Andy Irvine—who had returned from his travels in Eastern Europe—after an initial gig at a party for the Irish-Soviet Union Friendship conference organised by Seán Mac Réamoinn.

This featured Irvine and Lunny, and guest performers such as Ronnie Drew, Mellow Candle and the group Supply, Demand & Curve.

[4]: 95–96 Clodagh Simonds, who co-founded Mellow Candle with Alison O'Donnell in 1963,[4]: 96  recalls: The place was always packed, and the atmosphere was amazing.

The intricacy and the rhythmic complexity of their arrangements were something really fresh and unheard of – they were literally blowing the dust and cobwebs off some of that material and giving it this sparkling, dancing new life.

[1] In 1974, Lunny produced and performed on the album Celtic Folkweave by Mick Hanly and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, who had been supporting Planxty on tour.

Hanly, Ó'Domhnaill, and Lunny were supported in the studio by O'Flynn on uilleann pipes and whistle, Matt Molloy on flute, Tommy Peoples on fiddle, and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill on harpsichord.

Following the example of the group Horslips, Moving Hearts combined Irish traditional music with rock and roll, and also added elements of jazz to their sound.

From 2002 onwards, Lunny and Andy Irvine founded a multicultural band called Mozaik, with Bruce Molsky, Nikola Parov and Rens van der Zalm.

Called Usher's Island (a reference to the Dublin quay where James Joyce's story "The Dead" is set), it morphed from LAPD and comprises Lunny, Irvine and Glackin, plus Michael McGoldrick (uilleann pipes, flute and whistle) and John Doyle (guitar).

[10][11] Lunny continues to contribute to contemporary music in Ireland: as well as touring with many musicians (including Andy Irvine, Paddy Glackin, Michael McGoldrick, Paul Brady and Kevin Burke).

He had already produced a 45rpm single for Skid Row (featuring 17-year-old Gary Moore) and, in 1975, the album A Silk Purse for electric folk band Spud,[14] managed by Paul McGuinness.

He played on or produced albums for Paul Brady, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, Sinéad O'Connor, Clannad, Maurice Lennon, Baaba Maal, and Five Guys Named Moe.