2020 marks 50 years in the music business for the first lady of Celtic music, Moya Brennan.
This Tuesday will see a deeply personal documentary Moya airing on TG4 to tell the story of the Gaoth Dobhair singer and her spell-binding talents.
The scope of Moya Brennan’s success as a performer is staggering. As a solo artist, she has won an Emmy, been nominated for two Grammys, performed for Presidents and Popes and has featured on the soundtrack of one of the biggest movies of all time, Titanic. As a member of Clannad, she recorded 17 albums, won a Grammy, a BAFTA and an Ivor Novello Award.
Clannad in National Song Contest publicity shot (1973)
She has collaborated with everyone from Bono to Bruce Hornsby and the Theme from Harry’s Game remains the only Irish language single to make the UK top ten. Bono once said of her “I think Máire has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced”.
The scope of her international success is incredible and yet she has remained committed to her Donegal roots and Gaeltacht heritage.
Moya Brennan (1986)
In the upcoming documentary, Moya looks back on a fascinating 50 years of song.
Featuring exclusive interviews and performances with Moya and her family as well as contributions from the cream of Irish musical talent, including Paul Brady, Imelda May, Damien Dempsey, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and many others, this is set to be a landmark musical adventure.
Moya, produced by Dearg Films for TG4, airs on 29th December at 9.20pm.