Irish guitarist Gavin Ralston has passed away aged 49, following a battle with bowel cancer.

Gavin Ralston was involved in the Irish music industry for over 25 years, performing with the likes of Sharon Shannon, Eimear Quinn, The Waterboys, Clannad and Bagatelle and produced artists such as Ronnie Drew, PictureHouse and The Coronas.

Ralston also performed in numerous theatrical and dance shows, including Brecht’s Mother Courage and Michael Flatley’s Celtic Tiger.

Ralston also penned a hugely successful guide to playing traditional Irish guitar, which is regarded as one of the finest books of its type ever to be published.

Gavin loved to pass on his knowledge of music to other people and in recent years he had been working with Music Generation to bring his love of music to the next generation.

Gavin’s peers have been paying tribute to him on social media this afternoon.