Renowned Irish Grammy Winner Moya Brennan Passes Away at 73

The music world is mourning the loss of Moya Brennan, the celebrated Irish Grammy-winning artist, who passed away at the age of 73. Known as the sister of fellow musician Enya, Brennan’s death has prompted a flood of heartfelt tributes.

According to a statement from her family, Moya died on Monday in Donegal, Ireland, with her family by her side. The announcement highlighted that she was “surrounded by her loved ones” at the time of her passing.

Back in 2020, Brennan had publicly disclosed her battle with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that had put her in consideration for a double lung transplant.

Renowned as the lead vocalist of the band Clannad for over five decades, Moya Brennan was often celebrated as the “First Lady of Celtic Music,” a title reflected in the many tributes she has received.

Among the notable figures paying homage, Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed his sorrow on social media platform X, stating: “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.’

Irish Grammy winner Moya Brennan has died at the age of 73, as tributes pour in for the singer (pictured in 2011)

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.

Left to right: Noel Duggan, Ciaran Brennan, Moya Brennan, Padraig Duggan and Paul Brennan of Irish group Clannad (seen in 1982)

‘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. 

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, following 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’s sister Eithne, known globally as Enya, began her career with Clannad before becoming one of the world’s best‑selling solo artists (pictured in 2017)

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.’