{"id":530381,"date":"2026-04-14T14:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/530381\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T14:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:05:09","slug":"her-voice-was-the-signature-sound-of-clannad-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/530381\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Her voice was the signature sound of Clannad\u2019 \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Musician and songwriter Moya Brennan<\/a> has died in Co Donegal<\/a>, aged 73. <\/p>\n

A family statement said the singer, harpist and songwriter, best known for her work with the group Clannad<\/a>, died peacefully, \u201csurrounded by loved ones\u201d. <\/p>\n

Writing on the band\u2019s social media, Brennan\u2019s brothers P\u00f3l and Ciar\u00e1n Brennan said they were \u201ccompletely heartbroken\u201d at the passing of \u201cour dearest sister M\u00e1ire (Moya)\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cHer voice was the signature sound of Clannad and will live on forever,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Moya (ne\u00e9 M\u00e1ire N\u00ed Bhraonain) was the eldest of nine children of Leo and M\u00e1ire (Baba) Brennan. Along with her siblings Ciar\u00e1n, P\u00f3l, Deirdre, Leon, Enya (Eithne), Olive, Bartley and Br\u00edd\u00edn, she grew up in the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in northwest Donegal.<\/p>\n

\"ClannadClannad perform their farewell Dublin concert at the 3Arena in February 2023. Photograph: Tom Honan <\/p>\n

She formed Clannad with her brothers P\u00f3l and Ciar\u00e1n and her twin uncles, Noel and P\u00e1draig Duggan, in the 1970s; they initially performed mostly in the family pub, Leo\u2019s Tavern.<\/p>\n

Their distinctive and haunting sound has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, with hits including The Theme from Harry\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

In her later years, Brennan had been living with pulmonary fibrosis and faced the possibility of a double lung transplant.<\/p>\n

U2 frontman Bono paid tribute on behalf of U2, saying the Clannad singer \u201csang like an angel\u201d. He had previously said Brennan possessed \u201cone of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe walked through this world like an angel, and now she\u2019s back with her own kind … We love you Moya,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The music world has lost a legend today<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u00a0Eleanor McEvoy<\/p>\n

Fiachna \u00d3 Braon\u00e1in, of rock band Hothouse Flowers, said \u201cit was an absolute privilege to be in her world\u201d and \u201cthe heavens will be blessed by her voice\u201d.<\/p>\n

Gaoth Dobhair fiddler and lead singer of Altan Mair\u00e9ad N\u00ed Mhaonaigh said Brennan \u201cpaved the way for people like myself to come along\u201d and added: \u201cShe was my hero growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Moya Brennan: \u2018I never claimed to be a traditional singer\u2019Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Dublin rock band Aslan described the singer as a \u201cbeautiful, kind and talented lady\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur thoughts are with your family and wide circle of friends and fans. Rest in peace Moya,\u201d the band wrote on Instagram. <\/p>\n

Singer Daniel O\u2019Donnell said he and his wife Majella sent their sympathies to the Brennan family and added their \u201cdear friend\u201d would be \u201cgreatly missed by all who were blessed to know her\u201d. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, singer and former The Saturday\u2019s band member Una Healy described Brennan as \u201cIreland\u2019s first lady of Celtic music\u201d and a \u201cbeautiful person\u201d.<\/p>\n

Author Colum McCann described Clannad as \u201cradical\u201d although \u201cthey were also making music from the fireside\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cMoya was at the core of it all,\u201d he said. \u201cThe family gave new life to ancient lyrics that might otherwise have been lost forever. Some of the earlier work is like discovering ice.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cA 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\u201d. <\/p>\n

\"Clannad'sClannad’s distinctive and haunting sound has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Photograph: Julien Behal\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Victoria Mary Clarke, writer and wife of the late Shane McGowan, said: \u201cMoya 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, musician and TV presenter D\u00f3nal O\u2019Connor described Brennan as \u201ca pioneering voice who brought a unique sense of beauty and depth to Irish music worldwide, particularly through her work with Clannad\u201d. <\/p>\n

Her voice carried the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht far beyond our shores<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u00a0Minister for the Gaeltacht Patrick O\u2019Donovan<\/p>\n

Singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy said Brennan was \u201calways fun, always compassionate with a generosity of spirit that was truly inspiring\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe music world has lost a legend today,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Clannad\u2019s 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 \u2013 finding initial success in Europe, especially Germany.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

President Catherine Connolly said in a tribute to the singer, that Brennan was \u201can iconic figure in Irish music\u201d who had \u201cbrought Irish music and culture to listeners all over the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoya 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"ClannadClannad was formed in the 1970s. Photograph: Jack McManus <\/p>\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin said he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d at the singer\u2019s death, who he said had \u201can iconic Irish voice\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlong with her Clannad bandmates, Moya brought Irish folk music to the international stage. Deepest sympathies to Moya\u2019s family and friends at this difficult time. Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a hanam,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n

T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris also paid tribute to the musician, saying: \u201cShe was a musical icon with a unique voice of extraordinary beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister for the Gaeltacht Patrick O\u2019Donovan said Brennan \u201cgave Ireland a sound the world will never forget\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer voice carried the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht far beyond our shores to international acclaim,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald described her as \u201ca legend of celtic folk music. An incredible voice and talent that captured the essence of the Irish people – our language, our heritage, our story\u201d. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Moya Brennan: My father always said \u2018it doesn\u2019t take much to be nice\u2019. I think he was rightOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty said: \u201cMoya 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.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta, the authority responsible for Gaeltacht areas, said in a statement: \u201cT\u00e1 \u00e1r gcro\u00ed briste inniu ag cloiste\u00e1il faoi bh\u00e1s Moya Brennan – M\u00e1ire N\u00ed Bhraon\u00e1in – ceann de na guthanna is m\u00f3 le r\u00e1 a th\u00e1inig riamh as cro\u00edl\u00e1r na Gaeltachta. \u00c1r gcomhbhr\u00f3n \u00f3 chro\u00ed le muintir Mhoya. Suaimhneas s\u00edora\u00ed di.\u201d [\u201cOur hearts are broken today after hearing of the death of Moya Brennan- M\u00e1ire N\u00ed Bhraon\u00e1in – one of the most important voices that has ever come out of the heart of the Gaeltacht. With heartfelt sympathy to Moya\u2019s family. May she rest in eternal peace.\u201d] <\/p>\n

Brennan\u2019s sister Eithne, also known as Enya, spent several years with Clannad before pursuing a solo career. <\/p>\n

She was awarded an Emmy in 2011 for the US PBS documentary Music of Ireland, and an RT\u00c9 Radio 1 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement in 2019, presented to her by then president Michael D Higgins, who said at the time that \u201cher name would be forever etched in the history of Irish music\u201d. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Clannad\u2019s farewell show: A fitting end full of poise, precision and timeless beautyOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Clannad reformed in 2011, with three comeback performances at Dublin\u2019s Christ Church Cathedral, before recording a new album and touring Europe.<\/p>\n

The band performed their farewell Dublin concert in 2023, the 50th anniversary of the release of their debut album<\/a>. Latterly, her musical night, Clubeo – an open stage for local musicians in her family pub Leo\u2019s Tavern \u2013 was described as her proudest endeavour.<\/p>\n

Brennan is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis, daughter Aisling and son Paul. <\/p>\n

Her funeral mass will take place in Crolly, Co Donegal, on Friday, April 17th<\/a>.- Additional reporting PA and The Guardian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Musician and songwriter Moya Brennan has died in Co Donegal, aged 73. A family statement said the singer,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":530382,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[183681,60298,96,59,183680,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-530381","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-clannad","9":"tag-donegal","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-gb","12":"tag-moya-brennan","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/530382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=530381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=530381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}