Irish Singer Moya Brennan Dies Aged 73

# Irish Singer Moya Brennan Dies Aged 73 Moya Brennan, the Irish singer and lead vocalist of Clannad, died aged 73. She died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, according to a family statement. Brennan was a Celtic folk singer from the Irish-speaking Donegal Gaeltacht area of Gaoth Dobhair.

Brennan was the eldest of nine children. Clannad, which included Brennan's younger sister Enya, formed in 1970. The band initially performed in their family's pub, Leo's Tavern.

Clannad's Rise and Awards Clannad began tours of Europe in the 1970s.

The band achieved mainstream success in the 1980s. Clannad recorded the theme tune for the TV series Harry's Game, set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and performed it on Top of the Pops in 1982. Clannad was the first band to sing in Irish on Top of the Pops.

The band also recorded the theme tune for the TV series Robin of Sherwood. Clannad received a Bafta award in 1984 and a Grammy award in 1999. Clannad's debut album was released in 1973. The band performed their farewell concert in Dublin in 2023 on the 50th anniversary of the debut album release.

Brennan's Solo Career and Collaborations Brennan recorded her first solo album, Máire, in 1992.

She recorded about 25 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. Brennan released her final studio album in 2024. Brennan collaborated with Mick Jagger, Paul Young, and U2 frontman Bono. Bono described Moya Brennan's voice as 'one of the greatest the human ear has ever experienced'.

Brennan was awarded an Emmy in 2011 for a documentary filmed with PBS titled Music of Ireland. Michael D Higgins presented Brennan with an RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Higgins said Brennan's name would be forever etched into the history of Irish music.

Tributes from Public Figures Daniel O'Donnell first met Moya Brennan years ago at her father's pub.

' He said Brennan loved being home and loved being in Donegal. O'Donnell described Brennan as having an incredibly peaceful presence. He said she was incredibly generous to younger talent in Donegal and loved giving young singers a chance in the last few years.

O'Donnell said everyone around Donegal loved Moya Brennan. Micheál Martin credited Clannad with bringing Irish folk music to the international stage. Simon Harris described Moya Brennan as a musical icon with a unique voice of extraordinary beauty.

Brennan was Donegal Person of the Year two years ago.