Grammy and Emmy award-winning singer and harpist Moya Brennan, widely recognized for bringing Celtic music into the mainstream, has passed away at the age of 73. Her legacy continues to resonate across generations of music lovers.
Brennan was most celebrated as a founding member of Clannad, an Irish folk band that produced iconic tracks such as Theme from Harry’s Game and I Will Find You. The band played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Celtic music and helped introduce it to a global audience.
Moya, whose full name was Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease, in 2020. Her family shared the news of her peaceful passing on Tuesday (AEST), stating she died surrounded by loved ones in her hometown in County Donegal.
Her brothers, Pól and Ciarán, who are also members of Clannad, expressed their grief on Facebook. “We are completely heartbroken at the passing of our dearest sister Máire (Moya),” they wrote. “She … has now joined Pádraig and Noel [Brennan’s uncles] across the veil. Her voice was the signature sound of Clannad and will live on forever.”
Known as the “first lady of Celtic music,” Brennan played a key role in modernizing the genre by blending the Irish language with contemporary pop melodies. She co-founded Clannad with her family in 1970, and the group went on to collaborate with major artists such as Mick Jagger, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Shane MacGowan of The Pogues, and Bono.
Their work earned them multiple Grammy and BAFTA awards, and their music was featured in films and television, including Harry’s Game, Robin of Sherwood, and the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans. Although they did not compose the score for Titanic, many believe its haunting sound was influenced by Clannad’s lush, emotive style.
Clannad originally consisted of Brennan, her brothers Pól and Ciarán, and their twin uncles, Noel and Pádraig Ó Dúgáin. They began performing in local pubs before gaining international recognition through festivals like the Slógadh Youth Festival. Brennan’s sister later joined the group but eventually left to pursue a solo career as Enya, the best-selling solo Irish artist in history.
Despite minimal social media presence, Enya shared the news of her sister’s passing on Facebook, expressing deep sorrow. “It is with a deep and terrible sadness that I must announce the death of my beloved sister, Máire. Not only was she my sister, she was a dear and close friend. I would ask for privacy at this time.”
Bono, frontman of U2, paid tribute to Brennan, calling her voice “otherworldly.” “She sang like an angel,” he told the Irish Independent. “She walked through this world like an angel, and now she’s back with her own kind. We love you, Moya.”
Una Healy of The Saturdays shared a photo of herself with Brennan on Instagram, calling her “Ireland’s first lady of Celtic music.” “I had the great pleasure of meeting and singing with Moya on a number of occasions,” she wrote. “She was such a beautiful person and a legend.”
On the radio show Morning Ireland, fiddler and lead singer of Altan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, described Brennan as a hero and a pioneer. “The amount of people who have gotten interested in the Irish language because of her voice; her unique, delicate voice,” she said. “She also had this delicacy in her as a person. She was uasal [noble] but she was also so strong.”
Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin honored Brennan on Instagram, calling her an “iconic Irish voice” and praising her and Clannad for bringing Irish folk music to the international stage.
English DJ Chicane, who collaborated with Brennan on the 2000 track Saltwater, called her and Clannad “the most emotive music” he’s ever heard.
Clannad continued touring until 2024. The band released 13 albums, with their most recent being Nádúr in 2013. Brennan launched a successful solo career in 1992 with the album Máire and continued working on solo projects until 2024, when she released Voices & Harps IV with Cormac de Barra.
She is survived by her husband, British photographer Tim Jarvis, their two children, and her siblings, including Enya.
