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Moya Brennan (born Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin on August 4, 1952), also known as Máire Brennan, is an Irish folk singer, songwriter,musician, producer, harpist, and philanthropist. She is the sister of the musical artist known as Enya. She began performing professionally in 1970 when her family formed the band Clannad. Brennan released her first solo album in 1992 called Máire, a successful venture. She has received a Grammy Award from five nominations and has won an Emmy Award. She has recorded music for several soundtracks, including Titanic, To End All Wars and King Arthur.[1]

Musical Upbringing[]

Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin was born on 4 August 1952 in Dublin after her parents eloped from County Donegal to marry in County Louth. Máire grew up as the eldest child of a musical family in the remote parish of Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), a Gaeltacht area in County Donegal, where the Irish language and tradition continue to flourish. Her mother Máire (née Ní Dhúgáin or Duggan in English) was a music teacher and her father, Leo Brennan, was a member of a cabaret band with whom she performed as a child.

Moya is the eldest of nine children. She has four sisters, Deirdre, Eithne (better known as Enya), Olive and Brídín, and four brothers, Ciarán, Pól, Leon and Bartley. She sang along with her siblings in the family pub, Leo's Tavern in the village of Meenaleck, a short distance from the family home. She also took part in pantomimes at the local Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Theatre). After leaving secondary school, Brennan spent a few years at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin studying the harp, the piano and singing. She has also taught music at Holy Cross College in Falcarragh, County Donegal.

Gallery[]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • 1992 – Máire
  • 1994 – Misty Eyed Adventures
  • 1998 – Perfect Time
  • 1999 – Whisper to the Wild Water
  • 2003 – Two Horizons
  • 2005 – An Irish Christmas
  • 2006 – Signature
  • 2010 – My Match Is A Makin' (with Cormac de Barra)
  • 2010 – T with the Maggies (with T with the Maggies)
  • 2011 – Voices & Harps (with Cormac de Barra)
  • 2013 – Affinity (with Cormac de Barra)
  • 2017 – Canvas
  • 2019 – Timeless (with Cormac de Barra)

Live albums[]

  • 2005 – Óró - A Live Session
  • 2007 – Signature Special Tour Edition
  • 2008 – Heart Strings

Singles[]

  • 1992 – "Against the Wind"
  • 1992 – "Jealous Heart"
  • 1993 – "Big Yellow Taxi"
  • 1995 – "You're the One" (with Shane MacGowan)
  • 1998 – "Heal This Land"
  • 1998 – "The Big Rock"
  • 1999 – "Saltwater" (with Chicane)
  • 2000 – "Follow the Word"
  • 2003 – "Show Me"
  • 2003 – "Tara"
  • 2003 – "Saltwater" (with Chicane– re-issue)
  • 2005 – "I'll See You Again/Hidden" (with Hazel O'Connor)
  • 2006 – "No One Talks"
  • 2007 – "Merry-Go-Round"
  • 2007 – "Holiday Trio"
  • 2008 – "Green to Gold" (with Grand Canal)
  • 2013 – "Sailing" (with Cormac de Barra)
  • 2021 – "Strong In Numbers (Moya Brennan single)" (with Liam O'Connor)

Charitable albums[]

  • 2005 – A Future for the Michel (with Schiller)
  • 2008 – Sanctuary (Various artists)
  • 2009 – Ceol Cheann Dubhrann (Various artists)

References[]

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