CLANNAD: THE ROOTS OF CELTIC MUSIC FROM GWEEDORE

Clannad

Clannad are an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, traditional Irish, Celtic and new-age, often incorporating elements of an even broader spectrum of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant. 

After twelve years of success in the folk music industry, they shot to international recognition in 1982 with the release of the Theme from Harry's Game, becoming the most successful band in the Celtic music genre. They subsequently went on to bridge the gap between traditional Celtic music and pop music in the 1980s and 1990s with albums such as Macalla and Anam. 

Their records usually consist of traditional Gaelic ballads, new-age tracks that carry the group's trademark of haunting vocal harmonies, mellow harp-based instrumentals and often upbeat pop-flavoured numbers. During their career they toured the world extensively and gained fans in every major territory. They have recorded in six different languages, most notably in Irish and they are also widely regarded as one of the bands which put Irish traditional music and the Irish language on the world stage and paved the way for many other Irish artists. 

Clannad are a family band composed of siblings Moya Brennan, Ciarán Brennan, Pól Brennan and their twin uncles Noel Duggan and Pádraig Duggan (died 9 August 2016). Their sister/niece Eithne Ní Bhraonáin (aka Enya) left the group in 1981 to pursue a solo career. 

When Clannad first started out in the early 1970s their music and sound stemmed solely from their traditional background. Despite this they managed to popularise such old songs as Dúlamán, Teidhir Abhaile Riú and Coinleach Glas An Fhómhair, and these songs have remained popular numbers at their concerts.

Traces of Clannad's legacy can be heard in the music of many artists, including Enya, Altan, Capercaillie, The Corrs, Loreena McKennitt, Anúna, Riverdance, Órla Fallon and even U2. Bono stated that Moya has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced.

More information: Clannad

There's some familiarity in Celtic music, 

even if you've never heard that piece of music before. 

Nobuo Uematsu