History Formation Leo's Tavern in Meenaleck, County Donegal, the pub owned by Leo Brennan where members of Clannad first performedĬlannad was formed by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Máire Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan. They are widely regarded as a band that have brought Irish music and the Irish language to a wider audience, often experiencing more popularity abroad than in their native Ireland. They have recorded in six different languages and scored eight UK top 10 albums. Ĭlannad have won numerous awards throughout their career, including a Grammy Award, a BAFTA, an Ivor Novello Award, and a Billboard Music Award. Pádraig Duggan died in 2016, leaving the group to embark on their 2020 farewell tour as a quartet. In 2013, Pól rejoined and they released Nádúr, their first studio album in fifteen years. They regrouped in 2007 as a four piece again, with Moya, Ciarán, Noel, and Pádraig completing a world tour in 2008. After Landmarks (1997), the band went on a hiatus in order to pursue solo projects.

This transition would ultimately go on to define their sound as almost purely 'Celtic', making them innovators of that genre. They experimented with more new-age and pop-influenced sounds in the 1980s and 1990s, as evident on Macalla (1985), and Anam (1990). The song was featured on Magical Ring (1983), which was met with much acclaim. Later in 1982, Clannad gained international attention with their single 'Theme from Harry's Game' which became a top-five hit in Ireland and the UK. From 1980 to 1982, they operated as a six-piece with their sister/niece Enya Brennan on additional keyboards and vocals, before she left the group to pursue a solo career. By 1979, they had released three albums and toured Europe and the US.

Initially known as Clann as Dobhar (Irish for Family from Dore), they shortened their name to Clannad in 1973 after winning the Letterkenny Folk Festival with the song 'Liza', which secured them a record deal. They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history, starting out as an acoustic folk group mainly performing rearranged traditional Irish songs in Gaelic before they expanded their sound with original songs in English lyrics, electronic keyboards, vocal harmonies, and incorporating elements of rock, Celtic, new age, smooth jazz, and Gregorian chant. Donegal band Clannad were originators of the new-age celtic sound About Clannad Ĭlannad ( Irish pronunciation: ) are an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan.

Clannad band with enya