President Catherine Connolly pays tribute to Moya Brennan

President Catherine Connolly has paid tribute to Moya Brennan, describing her as "an iconic figure in Irish music." The renowned singer, songwriter and harpist – who was recognised internationally as the 'First Lady of Celtic Music' – passed away peacefully in Donegal on April 13.

In a statement on the death of the singer, President Connolly said she expresses her "deepest sympathies" to the family.

Reflecting on Brennan's career, Connolly mentioned her contributions to the Irish culture via music and writing - from the beginnings playing in her family's pub, Tábhairne Leo, to performing with her brothers as Clannad, up until her solo career.

"Moya leaves an exceptional legacy of music which will be enjoyed for generations to come," said President Connolly.

"[She showed] great strength in speaking of her own personal experiences and served as an inspiration to so many others, including through her work on so many worthy causes".

Connolly also said that Brennan's Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, her Grammy and Emmy awards, and many more, were "richly deserved".

She also extended her sympathies to the singer's husband, Tim Jarvis, her children Aisling and Paul, as well as "to all of her friends, collaborators and listeners both in Ireland and all over the world."

Following tributes from her family, including her brothers Pól and Ciarán, with whom she formed Clannad, and her uncles Pádraig and Noel Duggan, other creative industry personalities have also honoured Brennan.

Daniel O'Donnell, Una Healy, Irish Women in Harmony, as well as Hot Press editor Niall Stokes are among those who have honoured the iconic singer. Read more here.

Read the full statement by President Connolly below:

“As President of Ireland, may I join all those who have expressed such sadness on learning of the death of Moya Brennan.

Moya Brennan was an iconic figure in Irish music, whose wonderful voice and multifaceted skills, including as a writer and instrumentalist, brought Irish music and culture to listeners all over the world.

From their beginnings playing in their family’s pub, Tábhairne Leo, Clannad were for over 50 years one of the foremost acts in bringing Irish music and the Irish language to a global audience. Both with Clannad and in her solo work and collaborations, Moya leaves an exceptional legacy of music which will be enjoyed for generations to come.

In fitting recognition of Clannad’s own roots in Tábhairne Leo, Moya made a significant contribution to the next generation of artists through the hosting of Clubeo in the pub on Friday nights, not only giving young acts an opportunity to perform, but bringing in household names to support them and grow their audience.

Moya also showed great strength in speaking of her own personal experiences and served as an inspiration to so many others, including through her work on so many worthy causes. Her Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in 2019 and her honouring as Donegal Person of the Year in 2023, as well as her international awards including Grammy and Emmy awards, among many other accolades, were richly deserved.

May I extend my deepest sympathies to Moya’s husband, Tim Jarvis, to her children Aisling and Paul, to her wider family, so many of whom have made such an important contribution to Irish music and culture, and to all of her friends, collaborators and listeners both in Ireland and all over the world.”