Musician and songwriter Moya Brennan has died in Co Donegal, aged 73.
A family statement said the singer, harpist and songwriter, best known for her work with the group Clannad, died peacefully, “surrounded by loved ones”.
Writing on the band’s social media, Brennan’s brothers Pól and Ciarán Brennan said they were “completely heartbroken” at the passing of “our dearest sister Máire (Moya)”.
“Her voice was the signature sound of Clannad and will live on forever,” they said.
Moya (neé Máire Ní Bhraonain) was the eldest of nine children of Leo and Máire (Baba) Brennan. Along with her siblings Ciarán, Pól, Deirdre, Leon, Enya (Eithne), Olive, Bartley and Brídín, she grew up in the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in northwest Donegal.
Clannad perform their farewell Dublin concert at the 3Arena in February 2023. Photograph: Tom Honan
She formed Clannad with her brothers Pól and Ciarán and her twin uncles, Noel and Pádraig Duggan, in the 1970s; they initially performed mostly in the family pub, Leo’s Tavern.
Their distinctive and haunting sound has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, with hits including The Theme from Harry’s Game (1982), which they performed on Top Of The Pops, and In A Lifetime (1986), with Bono. Brennan herself also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career.
In her later years, Brennan had been living with pulmonary fibrosis and faced the possibility of a double lung transplant.
U2 frontman Bono paid tribute on behalf of U2, saying the Clannad singer “sang like an angel”. He had previously said Brennan possessed “one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced”.
“She walked through this world like an angel, and now she’s back with her own kind … We love you Moya,” he said.
The music world has lost a legend today
— Eleanor McEvoy
Fiachna Ó Braonáin, of rock band Hothouse Flowers, said “it was an absolute privilege to be in her world” and “the heavens will be blessed by her voice”.
Gaoth Dobhair fiddler and lead singer of Altan Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh said Brennan “paved the way for people like myself to come along” and added: “She was my hero growing up.”
“The amount of people who have gotten interested in the Irish language because of her voice; her unique, delicate voice. She also had this delicacy in her as a person. She was uasal (noble) but she was also so strong, she knew her courage, she knew her business, she knew how to go about things. What a wonderful person. We will miss her so much.”
[ Moya Brennan: ‘I never claimed to be a traditional singer’Opens in new window ]
Dublin rock band Aslan described the singer as a “beautiful, kind and talented lady”.
“Our thoughts are with your family and wide circle of friends and fans. Rest in peace Moya,” the band wrote on Instagram.
Singer Daniel O’Donnell said he and his wife Majella sent their sympathies to the Brennan family and added their “dear friend” would be “greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her”.
Meanwhile, singer and former The Saturday’s band member Una Healy described Brennan as “Ireland’s first lady of Celtic music” and a “beautiful person”.
Author Colum McCann described Clannad as “radical” although “they were also making music from the fireside”.
“Moya was at the core of it all,” he said. “The family gave new life to ancient lyrics that might otherwise have been lost forever. Some of the earlier work is like discovering ice.”
“A great voice goes just about anywhere. A truly great voice stays in place even after it is gone Moya Brennan took her leave yesterday, but her voice remains – as it always will”.
Clannad’s distinctive and haunting sound has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire
Victoria Mary Clarke, writer and wife of the late Shane McGowan, said: “Moya was a very beautiful woman and she was so kind and caring and loving as well as being an incredibly talented singer. Bless her soul and bless her family.”
Meanwhile, musician and TV presenter Dónal O’Connor described Brennan as “a pioneering voice who brought a unique sense of beauty and depth to Irish music worldwide, particularly through her work with Clannad”.
Her voice carried the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht far beyond our shores
— Minister for the Gaeltacht Patrick O’Donovan
Singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy said Brennan was “always fun, always compassionate with a generosity of spirit that was truly inspiring”.
“The music world has lost a legend today,” she added.
Clannad’s music was a blend of Irish traditional songs from Donegal and contemporary influences such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Mamas & The Papas and Joni Mitchell. After winning the Letterkenny Folk Festival in 1973, the group embarked on a busy touring schedule – finding initial success in Europe, especially Germany.
This success was followed by their musical scoring for the highly successful Robin of Sherwood TV series, and an international recording and touring career followed, spawning 19 albums and many awards, notably Ivor Novello (1982), Bafta (1984) and a Grammy (1999) along with Irish Meteor and BBC Folk Lifetime Achievement awards.
President Catherine Connolly said in a tribute to the singer, that Brennan was “an iconic figure in Irish music” who had “brought Irish music and culture to listeners all over the world”.
“Moya also showed great strength in speaking of her own personal experiences and served as an inspiration to so many others, including through her work on so many worthy causes,” she said.
Clannad was formed in the 1970s. Photograph: Jack McManus
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” at the singer’s death, who he said had “an iconic Irish voice”.
“Along with her Clannad bandmates, Moya brought Irish folk music to the international stage. Deepest sympathies to Moya’s family and friends at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam,” Martin said.
Tánaiste Simon Harris also paid tribute to the musician, saying: “She was a musical icon with a unique voice of extraordinary beauty.”
Minister for the Gaeltacht Patrick O’Donovan said Brennan “gave Ireland a sound the world will never forget”.
“Her voice carried the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht far beyond our shores to international acclaim,” he said.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described her as “a legend of celtic folk music. An incredible voice and talent that captured the essence of the Irish people – our language, our heritage, our story”.
Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty said: “Moya gave so much to Ireland and its people. Known as the First Lady of Celtic music, her songs and stories shaped so many lives and will always be cherished.”
Údarás na Gaeltachta, the authority responsible for Gaeltacht areas, said in a statement: “Tá ár gcroí briste inniu ag cloisteáil faoi bhás Moya Brennan – Máire Ní Bhraonáin – ceann de na guthanna is mó le rá a tháinig riamh as croílár na Gaeltachta. Ár gcomhbhrón ó chroí le muintir Mhoya. Suaimhneas síoraí di.” [“Our hearts are broken today after hearing of the death of Moya Brennan- Máire Ní Bhraonáin – one of the most important voices that has ever come out of the heart of the Gaeltacht. With heartfelt sympathy to Moya’s family. May she rest in eternal peace.”]
Brennan’s sister Eithne, also known as Enya, spent several years with Clannad before pursuing a solo career.
She was awarded an Emmy in 2011 for the US PBS documentary Music of Ireland, and an RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement in 2019, presented to her by then president Michael D Higgins, who said at the time that “her name would be forever etched in the history of Irish music”.
Clannad reformed in 2011, with three comeback performances at Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral, before recording a new album and touring Europe.
The band performed their farewell Dublin concert in 2023, the 50th anniversary of the release of their debut album. Latterly, her musical night, Clubeo – an open stage for local musicians in her family pub Leo’s Tavern – was described as her proudest endeavour.
Brennan is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis, daughter Aisling and son Paul.
Her funeral mass will take place in Crolly, Co Donegal, on Friday, April 17th.- Additional reporting PA and The Guardian