Moya Brennan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moya Brennan
Brennan in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin
Also known as	Máire Brennan Máire Jarvis
Born	(1952-08-04) 4 August 1952 (age 72) Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Origin	Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland
Genres	Irish Traditional Celtic folk new-age contemporary Christian music
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter producer harpist
Instruments	Vocals harp piano
Years active	1970–present
Labels	Atlantic BMG Word BEO Universal
Associated acts	Clannad T with the Maggies Enya Cormac de Barra Schiller (band) Roger Shah Chicane

Moya Brennan (born Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin on 4 August 1952), also known as Máire Brennan, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and harpist. She is also known for her charity work. She is the older sister of the famous musician Enya.

Moya started her music career in 1970. She formed a band called Clannad with her family. Later, she began a successful solo career. Her first solo album, Máire, came out in 1992. She has won a Grammy Award and an Emmy Award. Moya has also recorded songs for movies like Titanic and King Arthur.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Growing Up in a Musical Family

Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 4 August 1952. She grew up in a musical family in Gweedore, a small village in County Donegal. In Gweedore, the Irish language and traditions are very strong.

Moya's mother was a music teacher. Her father, Leo Brennan, was in a band. Moya is the oldest of nine children. Her siblings include her famous sister, Enya, and her brothers, Ciarán and Pól.

Learning Music and Performing

Moya and her brothers and sisters often sang together. They performed in their family's pub, Leo's Tavern. She also acted in local plays at the Gweedore Theatre.

After finishing school, Moya studied music in Dublin. She learned to play the harp and the piano. She also trained her singing voice. Later, she taught music at a college in County Donegal.

Years with Clannad

Forming the Band and Finding Success

In 1970, Moya joined her brothers Pól and Ciarán. Their mother's twin brothers, Noel and Pádraig Ó Dúgáin, also joined. Together, they formed the band Clannad.

Moya performing with Clannad at the Leeds Folk Festival, 1982

Clannad became very popular in the 1980s. Their album Magical Ring was a big hit in 1982. Moya's unique voice became well-known. It helped define the sound of Celtic music.

Awards and Family Connections

Moya recorded 17 albums with Clannad. The band won a Grammy, a BAFTA, and an Ivor Novello award. Her sister, Eithne Ní Bhraonáin (Enya), was also with Clannad for a few years. Enya later became a very successful solo artist.

Clannad had a reunion tour in 2008. There were plans for a new acoustic album, but it was not released.

Solo Career

First Albums and Musical Style

Moya Brennan released her first solo album, Máire, in 1992. It was released by Atlantic Records. Three years later, she released Misty Eyed Adventures. In 1998, she signed with Word Records. She then released Perfect Time and Whisper to the Wild Water. This last album was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001.

Moya's music is often called New Age or Celtic. She is comfortable with the Celtic label. However, she feels that much of her music is also strongly Christian. Many of her songs are about her faith.

Special Performances and Collaborations

In 2000, Moya published her autobiography, The Other Side of the Rainbow. That same year, she performed her song "Perfect Time" live. She sang for 2.1 million people and Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Rome. This was a huge honor for her.

Moya has worked with many famous musicians. These include Bono from U2, Robert Plant, Van Morrison, and Chicane. She also sang for the movie King Arthur in 2004. She helped write the main song, "Tell Me Now (What You See)," with Hans Zimmer.

Changing Her Name and Later Works

Since 2002, Moya has used the name Moya Brennan. This spelling helps people who don't know Irish pronunciation say her name correctly. In 2009, she legally changed her name.

In 2003, she released the album Two Horizons. She also sang on the popular dance song "Saltwater" with Chicane. This song was used in tourism ads for Scotland and Ireland.

Moya performed for President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., in 2004. She also performed for Pope Benedict XVI at World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005.

Her Christmas album, An Irish Christmas, came out in 2006. In 2007, she released Signature. This album was like a collection of moments from her life.

In 2010, Moya released My Match Is a Makin' with harpist Cormac de Barra. They released more albums together, including Voices & Harps (2011) and Affinity (2013). Her album Canvas was released in 2017. Her children, Aisling and Paul, helped her write it.

In 2020, Moya joined a group of Irish female singers called "Irish Women in Harmony". They recorded a version of "Dreams" to help a charity called Safe Ireland. This charity supports people dealing with domestic abuse.

Moya Brennan Band

Moya Brennan often tours with a band of talented musicians. These musicians have also worked on their own projects. Cormac de Barra, a harpist and TV presenter, is a member of her band. Moya's daughter, Aisling Jarvis, joined the band in 2012. She performs with Moya on all her solo tours.

Band Members

Legacy and Recognition

Impact on Celtic Music

Moya Brennan and Clannad are known for creating modern Celtic music. They helped bring new life to old Irish songs. They are praised for making the Irish language popular through their music. One reviewer said that Clannad's music mixes traditional and modern styles very well.

U2 singer Bono sang with Moya on the Clannad song "In a Lifetime". He said that Moya has "one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced." Moya also plays the harp, which is featured in many of her songs. Her album Two Horizons is even based on the discovery of the harp.

Honorary Doctorate

Moya Brennan receiving an honorary doctorate from DCU in May 2022

In May 2022, Moya Brennan received an honorary doctorate from Dublin City University. This award recognized her important contributions to music. Her family, including her mother and sister Enya, attended the ceremony.

Personal Life

Moya Brennan wrote a book about her life called The Other Side of the Rainbow in 2000. In the book, she talks about growing up as the oldest of nine children in rural Donegal. She also shares how her Christian faith helped her through difficult times. She remarried in 1991.

Philanthropy

Moya Brennan is also known for her charity work.

Christian Blind Mission

In 2003, Moya Brennan became a Goodwill Ambassador for Christian Blind Mission Ireland (CBM). CBM is a charity that helps people with blindness. Moya traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to see CBM's work. She helped bring children from remote villages to get medical care.

Brennan performing in New York, 2008

She also visited poor areas in Brazil and performed to raise money. Moya has played a big role in sharing the charity's message around the world.

Nature Preservation

With her band Clannad, Moya has recorded many songs about protecting nature. These songs talk about the beauty of Ireland's landscapes and the problem of pollution. In her solo career, she has also recorded songs about these issues, like "Big Yellow Taxi".

In 2005, Moya joined a protest in County Donegal. She and others protested against electric cables that could harm the environment.

Other Charity Work

Moya and Clannad have supported many charities. In 1985, their song "Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)" helped Children in Need. They have also supported Amnesty International.

Moya has recorded many songs for charity albums. These include "Raphael's Journey" and "Songs for Luca". She also sang on "Green to Gold", the official song for Ireland's 2008 Olympic Team. In 2008, Moya became a director for UCB Ireland, a Christian radio station.

Discography

Brennan performing with Clannad at Lorient in 2013

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)

Compilations and Collaborations

• 1987 – "The Awakening" – with Paul Brady (from Primitive Dance)
• 1990 – "Put 'em Under Pressure" (single)
• 1991 – "Bring It All Back Home" – with An Emotional Fish (from Blue)
• 1993 – "Come into My Life" – with Robert Plant (from Fate of Nations)
• 1993 – "Dream Fields" – with Runrig (from Amazing Things)
• 1994 – "Almond Skin" – with Sonny Condell (from Someone to Dance With)
• 1994 – "Dream Sequence" – with Sonny Condell (from Someone to Dance With)
• 1994 – "The Man Who Wrote Danny Boy" – with Joe Jackson (from Night Music)
• 1994 – "As Tears Go By" – with London Symphony Orchestra (from Symphonic Music of the Rolling Stones)
• 1995 – "You're The One" – with Shane MacGowan (from Circle of Friends soundtrack)
• 1995 – "Luman Michael O'Suilleabhain" – with Brian Kennedy (from Between Worlds)
• 1996 – "Ó Bhean a' Tí" – with Dónal Lunny, Brídín Brennan & Deirdre Brennan (from Common Ground: The Voices Of Modern Irish Music)
• 1996 – "Everything Changes" (and various tracks) – with Iona (from Journey into the Morn)
• 1998 – "Amazing Grace" – with Michael Crawford (from On Eagles Wings)
• 1998 – "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine" (from Back to Titanic soundtrack)
• 1999 – "Saltwater" – with Chicane
• 1999 – "Don't Give Up" – with Michael McDonald (from Streams & Whisper to the Wild Water)
• 1999 – "The Call of the Wild" – with Alan Parsons (from The Time Machine)
• 1999 – "Lullabies" (on Silent Night) – with The Chieftains & Paola Cecchi (from Silent Night: A Christmas in Rome)
• 2000 – "Saylon Dola" – with Russell Watson (from The Voice)
• 2000 – "No Scenes of Stately Majesty" (from The Greatest Story Ever Sung)
• 2000 – "Fairytale of New York" – with Ronan Keating (from The Way You Make Me Feel)
• 2000 – "Peace Has Broken Out" – with Booley (from One)
• 2000 – "Ceolfaidh Mé" (from Fields of Hope: Fight Against Famine)
• 2000 – "The Light on the Hill" (from St. Patrick: The Irish Legend soundtrack)
• 2000 – "Over Blue City" – with Skypark (from Over Blue City)
• 2000 – "Rose of Bethlehem" (from One Silent Night)
• 2001 – New Irish Hymns album – with Margaret Becker & Joanne Hogg
• 2001 – "O Jesus Friend Unfailing" (from The Sound of Grace: Focusfest 2001)
• 2001 – To End All Wars soundtrack
• 2001 – "Band of Brothers Requiem" – with Michael Kamen (from Band of Brothers soundtrack)
• 2003 – "Ave Maria" – with Dominic Miller (from Shapes)
• 2003 – "Codail A Linbh (Sleep O Child)" – with Phil Coulter (from An Irish Holiday)
• 2004 – Tell Me Now (What You See), All of Them & Woad to Ruin tracks – with Hans Zimmer (from King Arthur)
• 2004 – "Labyrinth Prelude", "Labyrinth" – with Liam Lawton (from Another World)
• 2005 – "Hidden" – with Hazel O'Connor (from Hidden Heart)
• 2005 – "Beautiful Dreamer" – with Brian Kennedy (from On Song 2: Red Sails in the Sunset)
• 2005 – "Miles And Miles", "Falling" – with Schiller (from Day and Night (Tag Und Nacht))
• 2005 – "Away", "The Rubicon" – with The Duggans (from Rubicon)
• 2005 – "I'll See You" – with Delirious? (from The Mission Bell)
• 2005 – "Kiss The Book", "Like the Baseless Fabric" & "Set Me Free" (from The Book of Watermarks)
• 2008 – "I Will Never Love Again" – duet with Christie Hennessy (from The Two of Us)
• 2008 – "You Are Beautiful" – The Worship Lounge (various artists)
• 2008 – Rafael's Journey – with Joanne Hogg (Moya sings back up on a couple tracks on this album)
• 2008 – "Green to Gold" – with Grand Canal (from Green To Gold)
• 2008 – Sanctuary (various artists) – Moya performs on many of the tracks
• 2008 – Down by the Sea-Ashley Davis-This I Do (background vocals)
• 2009 – Ceol Cheann Dubhrann-Various Artists-Ceol Cheann Dubhrann
• 2009 – Love Will Bring You Home-Sharon Kips Welcome Home (duet with Sharon Kips)
• 2009 – Honey Promises Sinead Madden (Moya sings back up on "Shadows" & "Take Me")
• 2010 – Welcome Home: The Music Of Ireland-Various Artists-(Moya performs on several tracks and hosts the DVD special)
• 2010 – San Patricio-Various Artists-Lullaby for the Dead
• 2010 – Nowhere to Now Here (from the Nowhere to Now Here Soundtrack)
• 2010 – Welcome To America: The Music of Ireland (Moya sings "Down by the Sally Gardens with Ronan Tynan)
• 2010 – Re-Joyce The Hazel O'Connor Collective (Moya sings a brief along with a number of other artists)
• 2011 – "Morning Star" with Producer DJ Roger Shah
• 2011 – "The Dream" with Secret Garden (from "Winter Poem")
• 2011 – "An t-Eibhlín Marie" on the charity album "Le Cuidiú Dé" – Moya also sings backing vocals for the title track called "Le Cuidiú Dé".
• 2012 – Celtic Skies Various Artists (Down by the Sally Gardens)
• 2012 – "Excalibur III – The Origins" from Alan Simon – Moya sings on "The Origins Part I & II", on "Incantations" and on "Sacred Lands"
• 2012 – A Mother's Prayer-Keith & Kristyn Getty's album Hymns for the Christian Life
• 2012 – Celtic Wings-Pat O'May (Moya sings background on the song "Homeland").
• 2016 – "Reasons To Live" with Roger Shah
• 2021 – “Rivers” with Trance Wax

See also

In Spanish: Moya Brennan para niños