Moya Brennan, Irish Grammy Winner, Dies at 73

Irish winner Moya Brennan has died at the age of 73, as tributes pour in for the musician and sister of Enya.

Moya passed away in Donegal, Ireland, on Monday, 'surrounded by her loved ones', according to a family statement.

The singer and harpist revealed in 2020 she had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and faced the possibility of a double lung transplant. 

Moya, who was best known as the lead singer of band Clannad for over 50 years, has been hailed the 'First Lady of Celtic music' in tributes.

Ireland's Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin led tributes, writing on X: 'Deeply saddened at the passing of Moya Brennan - an iconic Irish voice.

'Along with her Clannad bandmates, Moya brought Irish folk music to the international stage. Deepest sympathies to Moya's family and friends at this difficult time.'

Country singer Daniel O'Donnell said Moya 'never forgot her roots' despite her success outside of Ireland. 

He told the BBC: 'She loved the music, and she loved to see people doing well. Especially in these last few years, she loved giving young singers a chance – that was her focus.

'She was Donegal Person of the Year two years ago, and the important thing in anyone's life is that your own locality recognises whatever you're doing, and that was certainly the case for Moya.

'Everyone around here loved her, and when you met her, she had a great peace about her.'

Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Fein, said Moya's music 'touched the hearts and the imaginations of people throughout Ireland and right across the world'.

She said: 'A legend of celtic folk music. An incredible voice and talent that captured the essence of the Irish people – our language, our heritage, our story.

'Moya brought a magical, breathtaking quality to her music that touched the hearts and the imaginations of people throughout Ireland and right across the world.

'She powerfully expressed the beautiful, free, searching spirit of the Gael. Her music and her voice will last forever.'

Her party colleague Pearse Doherty hailed Moya as the 'First Lady of Celtic music'.

Pearse wrote: 'Moya 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.

'Moya was proud of her roots. A powerful ambassador for Ireland – she took our music, language and culture and shared it with the world.

'Thinking of her husband Tim, her two children Aisling and Paul, the wider family, her friends, and all those who knew and loved her.' 

Moya is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis and their two children; daughter Aisling and son Paul.  

Four years ago, Moya credited her faith as she battled her lung condition, which is a chronic and progressive illness that is characterised by the scarring and stiffening of lung tissue.

She said at the time: 'I know God is with me, it's when we are doing things by ourselves, that's when we feel the stress.

'I'm not saying I've got it perfect, we all fall but really that's where my strength comes from.' 

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 Ó Dúgáin.

Their 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.

Clannad became the first band to sing in Irish on Top Of The Pops in 1982, where they performed Harry's Game, catapulting them to international fame.

The eighties saw the group tour across the globe, and in 1984 they scooped a BAFTA award, followed by a Grammy in 1999.  

Clannad's final studio album, Nádúr, was released in 2013 and they completed their 50th Anniversary In a Lifetime Farewell Tour in 2024.

Moya's sister Eithne, known globally as Enya, began her career with Clannad before becoming one of the world's best‑selling solo artists.

Moya also enjoyed a successful solo career, and in 2011 she won an Emmy for her Music Of Ireland documentary with US broadcaster PBS. 

She collaborated with stars including Mick Jagger, U2's Bono and Paul Young. 

The Saturdays singer Una Healy shared her tribute on Instagram, penning: 'Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of the wonderful Moya Brennan, Ireland's first lady of Celtic music.

'I had the great pleasure of meeting and singing with Moya on a number of occasions, along with her daughter Aisling and with the Irish Women in Harmony.'

Last year Moya was as they attended a wedding in Donegal.