Moya Brennan (Clannad)

As the First Lady of Celtic Music, Grammy-nominated Moya (or Máire) Brennan is a constant and enthusiastic ambassador for Irish culture around the world and, a native Irish Gaeilge language speaker, keen to keep her traditional arts and music in the forefront.

Her voice continues to provide a constant reminder of how the heart can be touched by the purity and thrill of music. Despite the enforced restrictions placed on her and all other artists in the past couple of years she has been active, especially, with the Farewell Tour of her family band, Clannad. Their sell-out concert at Dublin’s 3 Arena in February 2023 was an emotional part of the final tour climax after fifty years together. And Moya is excited now to take up her solo career again.

Her live solo shows, having all the musicality and power of Clannad – but with added, heart-warming intimacy – are always a rich and moving experience. Her unique, effortless vocals and timeless music pay homage not only to her vibrant traditional Irish heritage but also to her grasp of contemporary forms.

In October 2019 Moya received the RTE Radio Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement presented to her by (Irish) President Michael D Higgins who said that “her name would be forever etched in the history of Irish music”.

This echoes the many plaudits she has had, not least Bono, who stated recently, “I think she has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced”. Moya, the Voice of Clannad, sings like nothing you’ve ever heard before!

As the singer of Clannad, they rose to prominence with a pioneering approach to traditional music, creating the Celtic Music genre along the way. In their fifty years, they have achieved fifteen million record sales worldwide and a string of awards, including a BAFTA, Ivor Novello, and a Grammy in 1998. Sister Enya joined Clannad for a time before pursuing her own successful career.

Her live show has developed into a visual (as well as a sound) spectacle with rhythm, atmosphere, and vibrant harmony. She is now proud to have daughter, Aisling, and son Paul in her band along with the remarkable harpist, Cormac De Barra and violinist, Clare Friel.

Moya’s career to date includes twenty-five albums, numerous film scores (notably The Last of the Mohicans and, with Hans Zimmer, King Arthur) and she has sung with many great artists, including The Chieftains, Robert Plant, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Shane McGowan, and, of course, Bono.