Liam Reilly, an acclaimed songwriter and former lead singer of the Irish folk-rock band Bagatelle, died on New Year’s Day 2021 at age 65.

“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