Moya Brennan, the singer who brought Clannad’s Celtic sound to worldwide attention, has died aged 73.
Her family confirmed she passed away on Monday (13.04.26) in Donegal, surrounded by relatives.
Born Máire Ní Bhraonáin on August 4, 1952, in Gaoth Dobhair, she grew up in a large musical family and began performing with her brothers Pól and Ciarán and their uncles Noel and Pádraig &Ocute; Dúgáin.
The group’s early pub sessions in their hometown eventually developed into Clannad, who went on to become one of Ireland’s most successful folk acts.
Clannad first gained wider attention after winning the Letterkenny Folk Festival in 1973, which led to touring across Europe.
Their mix of traditional Irish music with contemporary influences helped them stand out at a time when Celtic music rarely crossed into the mainstream.
Their major breakthrough came in 1982 with Theme from Harry’s Game, written for a television drama set during the Troubles.
The track became a UK chart hit and made Clannad the first act to perform in Irish on Top of the Pops. Its success earned the band major awards, including an Ivor Novello and Grammy, and brought their music to international audiences through film and advertising placements.
Across the decades that followed, Moya’s distinctive vocals became central to Clannad’s sound as they released more than 30 albums and contributed to a range of film and TV projects.
The group’s final studio album, Nádúr, was released in 2013.
They completed the 50th Anniversary In a Lifetime Farewell Tour in 2024.
Her sister Eithne, known globally as Enya, began her career with Clannad before becoming one of the world’s best-selling solo artists.
U2 singer Bono teamed up with Clannad on the track In a Lifetime and previously gushed over Moya’s incredible voice.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty led tributes, calling Moya the “First Lady of Celtic music” and praising her lifelong commitment to promoting Irish culture.
