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Irish Grammy winner Moya Brennan has died at the age of 73, as tributes pour in for the singer.
The singer and harpist passed away in Donegal in Ireland, surrounded by her ‘loved ones’, according to a family statement.
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’ as tributes flood in.
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.
Irish Grammy winner Moya Brennan has died at the age of 73, as tributes pour in for the singer (pictured in 2011)
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.’
Moya is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis and their 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, when they performed Harry’s Game.
The eighties saw the group tour internationally, and in 1984 they scooped a BAFTA award, following by a Grammy in 1999.
