Culture
29 Jun 20

Irish Women in Harmony for Safe Ireland: Moya Brennan – "I'm definitely the Mammy of this incredible gang"

In a special Q+A, one of Ireland's finest living musicians and "the first lady of Celtic music" Moya Brennan discusses meeting Dolores O'Riordan and being a woman in the Irish industry.

"It’s hard to come out with something new, but Dolores certainly did that." Moya Brennan is one of the incredible 39 musicians involved in the Irish Women in Harmony single, but she's unique in the sense that she has actually met Dolores O'Riordan before. "Two things always struck me about her," she says. "How she was proud of being Irish and a woman in the music world. I loved her for that alone, and her strength of conviction.

"It’s a credit to how great Dolores was as a singer/songwriter, that you hear her songs being played continuously on the airwaves after she has sadly left this world. She certainly paved the way for other Irish artists, particularly women."

The Clannad founder was deeply honoured to be asked to participate in the 'Dreams' cover. "A bit bemused at first, as I am definitely the Mammy of this incredible gang," she laughs. "But I jumped at the opportunity to be involved with something that’s dear to my heart.

"Being in lockdown in Donegal and aware how blessed I was to be in lovely and open surroundings here, I couldn’t help myself thinking of how difficult it must be to be in an environment of continuous stress, worry and fear."

The first lady of Celtic music was also eager to show support for Safe Ireland. There’s a lot of messages to be taken away from this project. "We need to bring it to the forefront so that people are not afraid to talk about it, to look for help, to help each other and for them to realise it’s not their fault," Brennan says.

"But what also has come from us all getting together is how much Irish women are being ignored as great singer-songwriters in this country," Brennan continues. "Being in the music business for 45 years, I have seen some acknowledgment towards female artists, but certainly not enough for the talent that’s here. We have incredible women in this country that have made music their career, but with very little support. Let’s change that and get them out there."