April 14, (THEWILL) — Moya Brennan, the Irish singer best known as the voice of Clannad, died on April 14 at the age of 73.
A family statement said she died peacefully at her home in County Donegal, surrounded by loved ones.
Brennan was a singer, songwriter and harpist who recorded about 25 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. She was widely known as the “First Lady of Celtic Music.”
She rose to fame in the 1970s as a member of Clannad, the family group she formed with her siblings.
The band became a leading act in traditional Irish music and gained international success, including the theme from the 1982 TV series “Harry’s Game”, going on to win a BAFTA and a Grammy.
Brennan also had a successful solo career and collaborated with artists including Bono, who described her voice as “one of the greatest the human ear has ever experienced.”
Tributes have been paid across Ireland. Fellow singer Daniel O’Donnell said she was “Donegal inside and out,” adding: “She loved being home and loved being here.”
Irish leaders also honoured her legacy. Taoiseach Micheál Martin called her “an iconic Irish voice,” while Tánaiste Simon Harris described her as “a musical icon with a unique voice of extraordinary beauty.”
In recent years, Brennan continued to perform and support emerging artists. She also made a special appearance in February 2026 at a concert in Dublin’s 3Arena.
Brennan is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis and her children, Aisling and Paul.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
