Music fans are mourning the passing of singer Catherine “Cat” Dowling. The Irish pop singer was 54 years old.
Describing Dowling as an “Irish music icon,” The Irish Star reports that Dowling’s cause of death has not yet been revealed. However, The Star noted that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.
She reportedly passed away at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown, Ireland, on Friday, August 7.
Per The Star, the late singer’s death notice described her as the “much-loved mother” of Rachel, Ódhran and Juliette, and noted she would be missed by their father, Brian.
Lead Singer for Babelfish and Alphastates
Dowling came to fame in her native Ireland as the lead singer for Dublin rock band Babelfish, which she founded in 2001 with guitarist Gerry Horan, bassist Stevie Kavanagh and drummer Graham Gilligan.
Babelfish would later evolve into electro-pop group Alphastates. That iteration of the group released their debut album in 2004, “Made from Sand.”
Dowling embarked on a career as a solo artist after the release of Alphastates’ final album, 2009’s “Human Nature.”
Dowling’s Solo Career
Dowling released her first solo album, “The Believer,” in 2013.
The album’s title track became a hit, and was featured in TV series’ “Banshee” and “The Witches of East End.”
Another track from that album, “Somebody Else,” was featured in the Irish independent film “My Name Is Emily.” She also wrote and sang music that appeared in ABC drama “How To Get Away With Murder,” starring Viola Davis.
Dowling followed that up with another solo album, the critically acclaimed “Animals,” which she released in 2021.
According to music publication RSVP Live, Dowling was “regarded as one of the most compelling and stirring voices in Irish contemporary music.”
Tributes Pour In
Following Dowling’s passing, fans and musical peers took to social media to pay tribute.
“We are so saddened to hear of the death of Catherine ‘Cat’ Dowling. She was a true original. Deepest sympathies to her family and friends. She is another huge loss to Irish music,” renowned Irish band The Stunning wrote on Facebook.
“If you don’t know her music, check it out on all the streaming platforms. She opened for us in Kilkenny a few years back. Her last album ‘Animals’ is superb. Rest in peace Catherine, you can play some tunes with Glen,” the statement added, referring to the recent passing of Irish singer-songerwriter Glen Hansard, who died in a tragic motorcycle accident last month.
“We are very saddened to hear the news of the passing of Cat Dowling,” noted a tribute from Whelan’s, a live music venue where Dowling frequently performed. “We were honoured to have her perform at Whelan’s over the years in many guises, including fronting Alphastates and more recently under her own name. Another great talent lost from Dublin’s music family. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Cat’s family and friends.”
Niall Stokes, editor of Irish music magazine Hot Press, added.”She was a lovely person, and a hugely original musician. She will be greatly missed.”
