Moya Brennan was the lead singer in the family band Clannad. With her death on April 13 at the age of 73 due to pulmonary fibrosis, the Irish band lost their matriarch.
Pulmonary Fibrosis causes irreversible scarring and affect the breathing.
As a solo artist and as a part of Clannad, Brennan released over two dozen albums. Clannad has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic with Grammy and BAFTA wins.
Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin was born August 4, 1952 in County Donegal, Ireland; the oldest o nine children.
Formed in 1970, Clannad was traditional Irish music. Moira was the lead singer and harpist for the family band. Sister Enya was a part of the band before embarking on her own solo career. Brothers Pol and Ciaran Brennan; along with uncles Noel Duggan and Pat Duggan, were also a part of Clannad. Later siblings Brídín and Deirdre joined the band.
The band began by singing in the family tavern Leo’s.
Clannad was best known for the theme song for the television series “Harry’s Game”. Their music also appear in “Robin of Sherwood” and the 1993 film “Last of the Mohicans”. They won a Grammy Award for their album “Landmarks” and a Lifetime Achievement Award for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
As a solo artist Moira appeared on the soundtrack for “King Arthur”, “Titanic”, and “To End All Wars”.
She released a combined – Clannad and solo – 25 albums and sold over 20 million copies.
Clannad has also collaborated with rock stars Sir Bono, Sir Mick Jagger, Paul Young, Paul Brady, Dónal Lunny and the Chieftains, Robert Plant, Chicane, Runrig, Shane MacGowan, Van Morrison and Ronan Keating.
Moira is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis and children Aisling and Paul with whom she also performed before her death.