'Otherworldly voice. She sang like an angel. She walked through this world like an angel, and now she's back with her own kind. We love you Moya.'
+++
The band have paid tribute to Moya Brennan, lead singer of the Irish band Clannad and a longtime friend, who has died aged 73.
Born Máire Ní Bhraonáin, Moya was the eldest of nine children from Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) in the Irish-speaking region of County Donegal. In 1970, she began performing traditional Irish music with her brothers Pól and Ciarán (and twin uncles Noel and Pádraig) as Clannad.
The Irish songwriter and harpist quickly became one of the leading voices of contemporary Celtic folk music.
In 1985, Moya collaborated with Bono on the song 'In A Lifetime', which first appeared on Clannad's album 'Macalla'. Their duet was recorded at Dublin's Windmill Lane studios.
The video for 'In A Lifetime' was directed by Meiert Avis, who also directed the video for 'New Year's Day', and was shot in Moya's homeplace of Gweedore. The haunting video featured a funeral cortege with a hearse that Bono had recently purchased driven by his friend, the artist Charlie Whisker.
'This is not a "love" song', Moya said in a 1986 Hot Press interview with Bill Graham about the making of 'In A Lifetime". 'It's a "life" song'.
In this video U2 leave the stage at Red Rocks, on the War Tour in 1983, to Clannad's Theme From Harry's Game.
Masterpiece!
One of the songs that marked my life.
"She sang like an angel"!
RIP
seanmorgan125
16 April, 2026
Moya
Lovely lady rest in peace
mockingbirds
15 April, 2026
In A Lifetime
I remember buying the CD single, 7,” 12,” and the record “Macalla” on CD. I also have a 3’ x 5’ promo poster for the single. It was at the height of my U2 fandom. I loved the single and Moya Brennan’s voice.
I also bought Clannad’s “Magical Ring” and “Legend” on vinyl. I fell in love with Moya’s voice. My biggest regret is not seeing Clannad live. I had a number of opportunities but I never got around to it. Plus, I always heard she was a wonderful person.
R.I.P. Moya
garyquintana
15 April, 2026
Gary Quintana
Beautiful
electricco
15 April, 2026
RIP Maire Ni Bhraonain ... Love
God Bless Her
vdvlietm
15 April, 2026
Goodbye Moya R.I.P.
One day we all may hear angels sing .
This must surely be what they sound like.