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Moya Brennan's loved ones and family including her sister Enya (centre) outside St. Patrick's Church, in Crolly, Donegal. RollingNews.ie
Slán leat a Mháire
Moya Brennan remembered at funeral as ‘First Lady of Celtic music’ as crowds throng church
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral, including U2 members, Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Majella, as well as Andrea Corr.
LAST UPDATE | 17 Apr
BUSLOADS OF MOURNERS made their way from early this morning to Eaglais Phádraig Naofa in Mín a’Bhaoill in the Donegal Gaeltacht parish of Gaoth Dobhair for this afternoon’s funeral of Clannad co-founder Máire Ní Bhraonáin, or Moya Brennan.
The artist was remembered as the “First Lady of Celtic music” at her funeral, which was attended by hundreds, including U2 members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr, Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Majella, as well as Andrea Corr.
The mourners include her husband Tim Jarvis, and their children Aisling and Paul, the late singer’s brothers, Ciarán and Pól, and other siblings. Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheal Martin were represented at the service.
Buses brought mourners to the church, which is located in a relatively remote area, as there was an appeal for people to take the bus and not to drive.
Tributes have been flowing for the singer since her death occurred on Monday evening after a long illness.
A guard of honour was formed outside the church by local primary school pupils, a musical marching band and staff from a community centre.
The singer’s remains were borne into the church in a wicker casket for the Requiem Mass which is being celebrated by the Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair, an tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh.
Peacemakers, a song by Brennan featuring the voice of her son Paul when he was four years old, played as the coffin entered the church.
Some of the symbols of her life brought to the altar included Brennan’s harp, a lanyard from the last gig she played, and a Donegal GAA jersey.
The priest recalled how on Monday night, it seemed as if a “sacred silence descended for a while” after Brennan passed.
He told those gathered music stood still, and Brennan’s “beautiful harp stood silently in the corner of her room, as though keeping its own quiet vigil of respect and honour”.
But he said in the hours and days that followed her home “became again a place of friendship and love, of kindness and light, a centre of song and deep spirituality, where tears of sadness and tears of joy mingled with memories so lovingly shared by young and old alike”.
He said: “In these past few days, grace and grief, stood side by side, embraced and danced to the beautiful music, as memories were shared through tears of sadness and sorrow and tears of joy and gratitude.”
The priest continued his tribute in both the Irish language and English, describing Brennan as “above all, a woman of music and melody, a woman of motherhood, and mission”.
“She knew that her gift was from God, and she used that gift faithfully and well, allowing her voice and harp to harmonise and become instruments of beauty, peace, and blessing for the world.
“It has been said that, through her voice and her gifted playing of the harp, Maire carried the rugged beauty, that quiet strength, the ancient timeless mystery, and rich soul of Donegal to audiences right across the world.”
The priest quoted her fellow musician and friend Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh: “She may be gone, but the voice will remain.”
He added: “Through her singing and harp-playing, she gave expression not only to melody, but to the deep spirit, beauty, and soul of her people and place.”
With reporting from Press Association
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