One F in Foley: Remembering Moya Brennan: ‘The First Lady of Celtic Music’

There was something of a cloud of sadness that came over Donegal last week when the sad news of Moya Brennan’s passing - at the age of 73 - became known.

Along with family members who made up the original band, Clannad, there’s no doubt that Moya’s legacy in music - and her work in putting Donegal on the global stage - will remain.

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Whenever I get around to taking a wee scoot out to places like Errigal, Dunlewey and Gweedore, there’s a real sense of a more tranquil Donegal. Excursions like this are sometimes a necessity if you wanna get away from the constant hum of traffic in and around Letterkenny on any given Saturday.

And for a few years now, whenever I do head out that way, I find myself turning on Spotify and listening to the likes of Clannad. I suppose, you could say, that they provide a sort of quintessential soundtrack for journeys like these. Their unique blend of Celtic Mysticism, which can be a bit haunting too, provides a perfect musical backdrop.

Unique Sound
While I can’t profess to have ever known Moya personally, my main degree of connection with her is that my Aunt Evelyn was in the same class as her at school. That doesn’t mean that her talent didn’t strike me and, as I alluded to earlier, it was the uniqueness of their sound that always drew me in.

One might expect a family group like Clannad to be a folk or trad band, but they delved so much deeper. They performed a lot of music that could take your mind to a time of more ancient times in Ireland, when Celtic warriors, druids and maidens roamed what was a much more wooded and forested area at the time.

Like many, I would be lying if I said I knew what she was signing about half the time, because I can’t. Sometimes, though, in this world of quick-fire and instant information, I still don’t want to know what the subject matter of Moya’s enacting lyrics was. I’m happy enough just to let them flow and create that feeling that great music does.

History of the Band
Having formed in 1970, Clannad grew their reputation by playing in pubs and local events across the more western parts of Donegal. They gained a lot more international recognition a few years later with a series of tours across Germany and, even though this was the era of the disco, Clannad still got huge attendances.

Moving on into the mid-1980s, their music featured on a popular British television show named ‘Harry’s Game’ and the haunting lyrics of that song’s chorus became their most memorable soundbite. Try reading “fol lol the doh, fol the day” without hearing the music in your head if you can. I certainly can’t.

In 1986, they dueted with none other than Bono from U2 for the song ‘In A Lifetime.’ Considering that U2 were arguably the biggest band in the world at this point shows the calibre of talent that wanted Moya Brennan and her family on board during that time.

When their sister Éithne - better known as Enya - left the family group to pursue her own hugely successful solo endeavours, Clannad and Enya lived on. You might even be surprised to know that it was Moya who provided the soft ‘Olé Olé Olé’ at the intro of the now anthemic ‘Jackie’s Army’ song for World Cup Italia’90.

As the 20th century drew to a close, and the dance music scene was in full flight, Moyà’s voice was given a new lease of life when her vocals were sampled on the hit track ‘Saltwater’ by Chicane in 1999. It would later feature on a trendy and lively TV advert for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

The First Lady
You’d be forgiven for thinking that anyone whose music career saw her win a Grammy and a BAFTA, who rubbed shoulders with the likes of U2 or had their vocals belted out by thousands at a dance music event, would be a recluse and full of their own importance.

Typical of the humble Donegal person, Moya remained grounded, humble and helpful to others throughout. I was lucky enough to see her give an impromptu harp performance during a local arts festival once and I’m told she was still a regular performer at her father’s pub - Leo’s Tavern - in Meenaleck.

Of all the plaudits that have rightly come in for Moya Brennan, I think the best one that’ll stick with me is that Moya is ‘the First Lady of Celtic Music.’ True words spoken.

While she will be sorely missed, there’s no doubt that the wonderful music that she helped to create and perform will stay with us for a long time to come. Máire Ní Bhraonáin; Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.