The singer and songwriter Catherine “Cat” Dowling has died aged 54, her family has announced.
Known to have been suffering from a long-term illness, as recently as March last year she released a version of The Pogues’ A Rainy Night in Soho. The recording became the soundtrack for the Department of Foreign Affairs’ St Patrick’s Day campaign.
She initially came to prominence with Babelfish which went on to become Alphastates, which she also fronted. Their debut album Made From Sand was released in 2004.
In January, Dowling took part in the Dublin launch of Rock Against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland.
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She was born in Ferrybank, Co Kilkenny, but raised in Cabra, Dublin. Dowling was the daughter of the late Fine Gael county councillor and TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, Dick Dowling.
She leaves behind three children, Rachel, Ódhran and Juliette, their father Brian, her much-loved mother Máirín, a sister and four brothers.
Fellow musician Jerry Fish described Dowling as “a warrior for love” and “a gentle soul, humble and generous to a fault”.
The Stunning said they were “so saddened” by her death, describing Dowling as “a true original”.
Whelan’s music venue said it had been “honoured” to have Dowling perform there over the years, both with Alphastates and as a solo artist.
Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said Dowling was “a wonderful singer and frontwoman” and “a hugely original musician”.
Dowling will be reposed in Power’s Funeral Home, Ferrybank, on Tuesday, August 11th, from 2.30pm, followed by removal at 6pm to The Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank. A requiem mass will take place on Wednesday, August 12th, at 1pm, after which Dowling will be laid to rest in Glenmore Cemetery.
