Editing Clannad

{{short description|Irish folk band}}
{{about|the Irish band|the Japanese visual novel franchise|Clannad (video game)|the 2007 anime film|Clannad (film)}}
{{Use Irish English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|cs1-dates=ll|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Clannad
| image           = Clannad_collage.jpg
| caption         = Most recent line-up: {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan, Moya Brennan, Noel Duggan, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan
| landscape       = yes
| years_active    = 1970–2024
| website         = [https://www.clannad.ie/ Official website]
| origin          = [[Gweedore]], County Donegal, Ireland
| genre           = {{hlist
 | [[Irish traditional music|Irish traditional]]
 | [[Folk music|folk]]
 | [[folk rock]]
 | [[Celtic music|Celtic]]
 | [[New-age music|new age]]
 | [[Pop music|pop]]
 }}
| label           = {{hlist
 | [[Philips Records|Philips]]
 | [[Gael-Linn Records|Gael-Linn]]
 | [[Tara Records|Tara]]
 | [[RCA Records|RCA]] ([[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]])
 | [[BBC Records|BBC]]
 | [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
 | [[ARC Music]]
 }}
| current_members = {{hlist
 | {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan
 | [[Moya Brennan|Moya ({{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Máire}}) Brennan]]
 | [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}} Brennan]]
 }}
| past_members    = {{hlist
 | [[The Duggans|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pádraig}} Duggan]] (deceased)
 | [[The Duggans|Noel Duggan]] (deceased)
 | [[Enya|Enya ({{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y||Eithne}} Brennan)]]
 | [[Brídín Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}} Brennan]] (live-band & guest musician only)
 | Deirdre (Dee) Brennan (live & guest only)
 }}
| spinoffs        = {{hlist
 | [[Moya Brennan]] (solo)
 | [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}} Brennan]] (solo)
 | [[The Duggans]] (duo)
 | [[Enya]] (solo)
 | [[Brídín Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}} Brennan]] (solo)
 }}
}}

'''Clannad''' ({{IPA|ga|ˈklˠan̪ˠəd̪ˠ}}) were<!-- ("They were") Please note that for collective nouns (like bands), British English uses the plural "were" instead of the American singular "was". See WP:ENGVAR. --> an Irish band formed in 1970 in [[Gweedore]], County Donegal, by siblings {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}}]] and [[Moya Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Máire}} (Moya)]] {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Uí Bhraonáin}}{{efn|{{lang|ga|Uí}} is plural and induces [[lenition]] on the following consonant. The masculine singular (without lenition) is {{lang|ga|Ó}}, and feminine (with lenition) is {{lang|ga|Ní}}, e.g. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán Ó Braonáin}} and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire Ní Bhraonáin}}, respectively.}} (in English, Brennan) and their twin uncles [[The Duggans|Noel and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pádraig Ó Dúgáin}}]] (Duggan).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.journalofmusic.com/news/ |title=Clannad Bursary of E30K Announced to Support Gaeltacht Artists |work=[[The Journal of Music]] |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/clannad/ |title=Clannad Lyrics |work=LyricsFreak.com |access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref> They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history. Beginning as an acoustic folk group mainly performing rearranged [[Traditional Irish music|traditional Irish]] songs in [[Irish language|Irish]], they expanded their sound with original songs in English, vocal harmonies, electronic keyboards, and elements of rock, [[Celtic music|Celtic]], [[New-age music|new age]], [[smooth jazz]], and [[Gregorian chant]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/clannad/albums/album/131987/review/5943745/macalla |archive-url= https://archive.today/20070518205122/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/clannad/albums/album/131987/review/5943745/macalla |url-status=dead |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=Clannad: ''Macalla'' Music Reviews |via=Archive.today |archive-date=18 May 2007}}</ref>

Initially known as {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Clann as Dobhar}} ('Family from Dore'),<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Dave |title=How Clannad made 'Theme from ''Harry's Game''<nowiki />' |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/13/clannad-theme-from-harrys-game |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 April 2020}}</ref> they shortened their name to Clannad in 1973.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/16/padraig-duggan-obituary |title=Pádraig Duggan obituary |date=16 August 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref> By 1979 they had released three albums and toured Europe and the US. From 1980 to 1982 they operated as a six-piece with their sister and niece {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}} ([[Enya]]). In 1982, they gained international attention with their single "[[Theme from Harry's Game|Theme from ''Harry's Game'']]".<ref name="Grdn" /><ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2007/2966.html |title=UU to Honour Peacemaker Tutu |work=News.Ulster.ac.uk |publisher=[[University of Ulster]] |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111016092331/http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2007/2966.html |archive-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> They experimented with new age and pop-influenced sounds in the 1980s and 1990s<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mp3.com/artist/clannad/summary/ |title=Clannad - News, Photos, Videos, Bio |work=MP3.com |access-date=8 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071121063019/http://www.mp3.com/artist/clannad/summary/ |archive-date=21 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Clannadachiev">{{cite magazine |url= http://billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?configType=BBCOM_SIMPLEDEFAULT&pubList=Billboard&an=bbcom&action=Submit&kw=&exposeNavigation=true&keyword=Clannad&searchType=ARTICLE_SEARCH&submit.x=32&submit.y=13 |title=Usually, their results were an entrancing, enchanting form of pop that managed to fuse the disparate elements together rather seamlessly |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=9 June 2017 |url-status=deviated |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011110111/http://billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?configType=BBCOM_SIMPLEDEFAULT&pubList=Billboard&an=bbcom&action=Submit&kw=&exposeNavigation=true&keyword=Clannad&searchType=ARTICLE_SEARCH&submit.x=32&submit.y=13 |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> and their music came to be defined as almost purely [[Celtic music|Celtic]], making them innovators of that genre.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/feature-clannad/ |title=How Clannad changed the world's view of Celtic music |work=TheToneDeaf.TheBrag.com |publisher=[[Vinyl Group]] |date=17 June 2021 |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref> In 1997, after 15 albums, they took a break and pursued solo projects.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-02-19-9303182785-story.html |title=Clannad Gets Higher Profile, Thanks in Part to Volkswagen |first=Chris |last=Heim |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=19 February 1993 |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref> The band regrouped in 2007 as a four piece with Moya (who adopted that spelling instead of {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} in 2002), {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Noel}}, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} and completed a world tour in 2008.<ref name="NewAlbum09">{{Cite web |url= http://www.clannad.org.uk/2009/02/new-clannad-album/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090228201534/http://www.clannad.org.uk/2009/02/new-clannad-album/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 February 2009 |title=Clannad & Moya Brennan News: New Clannad album |date=28 February 2009 |work=Clannad.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/clannad.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080607021148/http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/clannad.htm |url-status=dead |title=Kennedy Street – Clannad |archive-date=7 June 2008}}</ref> In 2013, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} rejoined and they released their first studio album in fifteen years.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-d-winick/donegal-galicia-and-the-w_b_3810593.html |title=Clannad's ''Nádúr'' and Other New Celtic Recordings |date=26 August 2013 |work=[[Huffington Post]] |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} Duggan died in 2016. The remaining group embarked on their farewell tour in 2020 as a quartet.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.loudersound.com/news/clannad-announce-in-a-lifetime-farewell-uk-tour |title=Clannad announce ''In a Lifetime'' farewell UK tour |first=Scott |last=Munro |date=9 September 2019 |work=[[Louder (website)|Louder]] |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref>

Clannad have won numerous awards throughout their career, including a [[Grammy Award]], a [[BAFTA]], an [[Ivor Novello Award]], and a [[Billboard Music Award]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url= http://www.mdm.ie/artists/clannad.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071118195903/http://www.mdm.ie/artists/clannad.html |url-status=dead |title=MDM.ie |archive-date=18 November 2007 |work=MDM.ie}}</ref> They have recorded in six different languages and scored eight UK top 10 albums. They were often more popular abroad than in their native Ireland, and are considered to have brought Irish music and the Irish language to a wider audience.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2002-06-21/95426/ |title=Chieftains, Clannad |first=Margaret |last=Moser |date=21 June 2002 |work=[[Austin Chronicle]] |access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-02-ca-42471-story.html |title=Pop Music: Clannad Finds Road to U.S. Exposure: The use of '<nowiki />''Harry's Game''<nowiki />' in TV car commercials has given the Irish folk-pop group another shot at the American market |date=2 June 1993 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref>

==History==

===Formation===
[[File:Tabhairne Leo (95480806).jpg|220px|thumb|[[Leo's Tavern]] in Meenaleck, County Donegal, the pub owned by Leo Brennan where members of Clannad first performed]]
Clannad was formed by siblings {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, [[Moya Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Máire}}]], and [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}}]] Brennan with their twin uncles [[The Duggans|Noel and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pádraig}} Duggan]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://journalofmusic.com/news/clannad-bursary-eu30k-announced-support-gaeltacht-artists |title=Clannad Bursary of E30K Announced to Support Gaeltacht Artists |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> They grew up in Dore, a remote parish in [[Gweedore]], County Donegal; in north-western Ireland, it is a {{lang|ga|[[Gaeltacht]]}} region where [[Irish language|Irish]] is the main spoken language.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rootsworld.com/interview/brennan.html |title=Máire Brennan Interview |work=RootsWorld.com |access-date=22 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Moya |last=Brennan |author-link=Moya Brennan |url= http://www.moyabrennan.com/biography.php |title=Biography |work=MoyaBrennan.com |access-date=22 March 2012 |archive-date=9 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150909201027/http://www.moyabrennan.com/biography.php |url-status=dead}}</ref> They were raised as a [[Roman Catholic]] family of musicians: the Brennans' mother, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} "Baba" Brennan ([[née]] Duggan), the daughter of the local headmaster, was a music teacher and later choir leader; and their father, Leo Brennan, who played saxophone and accordion, was a member of the Slieve Foy, an [[Irish showband]] that had toured Ireland and Scotland.<ref name="Irwin 2008">{{cite AV media |editor-last=Irwin |editor-first=Colin |date=2008 |title=''Sleeve notes'' |author=Clannad |work=Clannad Beginnings: The Best of the Early Years |type=CD |publisher=Demon Music Group}}</ref> In 1968, the Brennan and Duggan fathers bought and restored a dilapidated old tavern in nearby Meenaleck and ran it as a music bar called [[Leo's Tavern]]. Their children performed there together and developed their own act, with {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciaran}} and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan on bass, vocals, and bongos; {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} and Noel Duggan on guitars; and elder Brennan sister {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} on [[harp]] and vocals.<ref name="Irwin 2008" />

The five young musicians made their live debut in 1970 at a music competition held during the inaugural {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Slógadh}} Youth Festival in [[Letterkenny]]. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}}, the eldest member, who had learned the harp and could play "holy songs and [[Brian Boru's March|Brian Boru]]", was elected lead vocalist. They had not intended to enter the competition, but were encouraged to try by the local police sergeant and family members,<ref name="II05" /> and they submitted their entry form with ten minutes to spare before the post was to be collected.<ref name="II96">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001715/19960323/440/0036 |title=Mother Moya |date=23 March 1996 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |page=10 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> They won the {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Slógadh}} competition prize of [[Irish pound|Ir£]]500, a trophy, and a recording contract with [[Polydor Records]], although the band members were too young to sign it.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19871206/202/0017 |title=Music Is My Whole Life |date=6 December 1987 |first=Deirdre |last=Purcell |work=[[Sunday Tribune]] |page=17 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 July 2023}}</ref> With help from a grandfather, they had named themselves {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Clann as Dobhar}}, Irish for 'Family from Dore',<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001715/19741019/134/0007 |url-access=registration |title=Gaeltacht group release single |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=19 October 1974 |page=7 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> and they used this name until 1973, when they shortened the name to Clannad.<ref name="Grdn" />

They established themselves as an acoustic folk group, collecting material from old singers and story-tellers in Donegal<ref name="Irwin 2008" /> and building a repertoire of traditional Irish songs, arranged in a contemporary style for a full band. This approach attracted criticism at first because the Irish language was associated with poverty,<ref name="II96" /> but as {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan recalled: "Once they said that ... we just had to do it even more."<ref name="OTT85" /><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3494100030.html |title=Clannad Facts, information, pictures |work=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=22 March 2012}}</ref> They also wrote original material, and covered songs by [[the Beatles]], the [[Rolling Stones]], and [[Joni Mitchell]].<ref name="SOS93" />

===1973–1982: early years and six-piece band with Enya===
{{listen
 | filename     = Clannadliza.ogg
 | title        = "Liza" (1973)
 | description  = A sample of "Liza" from ''[[Clannad (album)|Clannad]]'' (1973), the first song that Clannad wrote.
 | format       = [[Ogg]]
 | pos = left
}}
In 1973, Clannad came in first place in the Letterkenny folk festival and were offered a deal with [[Philips Records]], which they negotiated themselves.<ref name="R213">{{cite web |url= https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/clannad |title=Clannad |first=David |last=Burke |date=November 2013 |work=[[Rock's Backpages]] |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="SOS93" /> Having secured a label, the group prepared material for a debut album. They recorded at [[Eamonn Andrews Studios]] in Dublin, choosing Irish- and English-language songs and a cover of "[[Morning Dew]]" by [[Bonnie Dobson]]. Released in 1973, ''[[Clannad (album)|Clannad]]'' was met with initial resistance from the label because of the use of Irish, and the group soon found themselves more popular outside Ireland, particularly in Germany.<ref name="R213" /> Later in 1973, Clannad competed for Ireland in the heat stages of the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1973|1973 Eurovision Song Contest]] with the song "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|An Pháirc}}".

In 1974, the band followed their debut album with ''[[Clannad 2]]'', released by [[Gael Linn|Gael Linn Records]] and produced by [[Dónal Lunny]], the founder of [[Planxty]] and [[the Bothy Band]]. Like their first album, ''Clannad 2'' featured a mixture of English- and Irish-language songs, with Lunny and members of the Bothy Band on additional instruments. It also featured the band's first use of a synthesizer,<ref name="OTT85" /><ref name="SOS93" /> and was heavier on the folk-rock side, with notable electric guitar, that several later releases.

Their next album, {{lang|ga|[[Dúlamán (album)|Dúlamán]]}} ('Seaweed'), was released in 1976. The title track "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Dúlamán]]}}", a traditional Irish folk song, became a stage favourite. The album was recorded at [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales and was their first to be produced by [[Nicky Ryan]], who also became the group's manager alongside his wife [[Roma Ryan]]. Clannad capitalised on their growing popularity in Europe by including [[liner notes]] in German and French and undertaking a tour of Europe.<ref name="R213" /> At one show, the standing ovation the band received after an extended rendition of "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Níl Sé Ina Lá (Níl Sé'n Lá)}}" from ''Clannad'' convinced them to continue as full-time musicians.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19770321/038/0003 |url-access=subscription |title=Popular Irish folk |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=21 March 1977 |page=3 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.capitalceltic.com/clannad.shtml/ |title=Clannad |work=CapitalCeltic.com |publisher=Capital Celtic Network |access-date=8 November 2007 |archive-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014801/http://www.capitalceltic.com/clannad.shtml/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Recordings from a tour of Switzerland in 1978 were released in the following year as ''[[Clannad in Concert]]''. Also in 1979, Clannad undertook a 36-date tour of North America, the most extensive by an Irish band at that time.<ref>{{cite news |title='Rolling Stone' column |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3-RaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6432%2C1706839 |access-date=22 March 2012 |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=3 January 1980 |first=Kurt |last=Loder |author-link=Kurt Loder |page=17D}}</ref>

[[File:Clannad on stage at Leeds Folk Festival, UK, 1982 (photograph by Tony Rees).jpg|270px|thumb|At the 1982 Leeds Folk Festival]]
In 1980, Clannad became a six-piece band when Nicky Ryan invited a younger Brennan sister, [[Enya|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Eithne}} (Enya)]], to join as an additional singer and keyboard player to expand the group's sound via extra vocals and electronic instruments. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}}'s first recordings with Clannad were made as a guest musician (uncredited) on their fifth studio album, {{lang|ga|[[Crann Úll]]}} ('Apple Tree'), which was recorded in [[Cologne]], Germany, and released in 1980 on [[Tara Music]]. "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Ar a Ghabháil 'n a 'Chuain Domh]]}}" featured a particularly full band arrangement which reflected their live jams, while "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Lá Cuimhthíoch Fán dTuath}}" showed early hints of a more atmospheric side to the band's arrangements.

By the time Clannad entered [[Windmill Lane Studios]] in Dublin to record their next album, {{lang|ga|[[Fuaim]]}} ('Sound'), {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}} had become a full-time member. This album, on the [[Tara Records]] label, continued the group's experimentation with electronic instruments, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}} was featured on lead vocals on "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|An tÚll}}" and "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Buaireadh an Phósta}}". [[Neil Buckley]] played clarinet and saxophone, with Noel Bridgeman on percussion and Pat Farrell on electric guitar. {{lang|ga|Fuaim}} was released by Tara Music in 1982. Despite Nicky Ryan's attempt to steer Clannad towards a more layered, electronic, heavily-produced direction, he felt that they had a tendency to revert to their original folk-music style; following arguments and a band meeting during a 1982 European tour, the Ryans resigned as group managers. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}}, feeling increasingly restricted in a band setting, departed with them to pursue what would prove to be an internationally sucessful a solo career, as [[Enya]], with the Ryans as collaborators,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://newspapers.com/image/405923168/ |title=Enya hits high ''Watermark'' sans Clannad ... |first=Chris |last=Willman |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=68 |date=5 March 1989 |access-date=24 December 2018 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>.

===1982–1985: "Theme from ''Harry's Game''" and ''Magical Ring''===
{{listen
 | filename     = themeharrysgame.ogg
 | title        = "Theme from ''Harry's Game''" (1982)
 | description  = The song that introduced Clannad to a worldwide audience.
 | format       = [[Ogg]]
 | pos = left
}}
In 1982, the then-five-piece Clannad signed to [[RCA Records]] and acquired Dave Kavanagh as their new manager. They accepted an invitation to record the title music for ''[[Harry's Game]]'', a three-part television drama depicting [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland, based on the novel of the same name by [[Gerald Seymour]]. Seymour suggested that the band record music for the show.<ref name="BT82" /> {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}}, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} wrote "[[Theme from Harry's Game|Theme from ''Harry's Game'']]" in a few hours. It was recorded in two days and became an atmospheric piece featuring a [[Prophet-5]] synthesizer and over 100 tracked vocals, a departure from their usual acoustic folk sound.<ref name="BT82" /><ref name="OTT85" /><ref name="Grdn" /><ref name="SOS93">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/clannad/10748 |title=Clannad |first=Mark J. |last=Pendergast |date=October 1993 |work=[[Sound on Sound]] |issue=Oct 1993 |pages=108–110 |via=Muzines |access-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> Released as a single in October 1982, "Theme from ''Harry's Game''" became the band's commercial breakthrough and caught international attention. It peaked at No.&nbsp;2 in Ireland and No.&nbsp;5 in the UK, and reached the top 20 in the Netherlands and Sweden. It remains the only UK hit single to have been sung entirely in Irish. Clannad's national exposure increased further when they performed the song on ''[[Top of the Pops]]''.<ref name="NEP84">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003894/19841005/008/0008 |url-access=subscription |title=Looking after family business |first=Simon |last=Harbridge |work=[[Nottingham Evening Post]] |date=5 October 1984 |page=8 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> From 1983 to 1987, Irish rock band [[U2]] used the song at the end of their concerts.<ref name="Clannadfaqs">{{cite web |url= http://www.extrasolar.net/clannad/fuaimart.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070330065614/http://www.extrasolar.net/clannad/fuaimart.htm |archive-date=30 March 2007 |title=Clannad Article: 1993 ''Fuaim'' Insert}}</ref>

{{blockquote|1=Two minutes of haunting vocal magic – the sort of thing Clannad have been doing for years – and all of a sudden everybody wants to know who they are. |source=''Belfast Telegraph'', November 1982<ref name="BT82">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19821106/161/0010 |url-access=subscription |title=Clannad - Winners of ''Harry's Game'' |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=6 November 1982 |page=10 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref>}}

Following this success, the group released their seventh studio album, ''[[Magical Ring]]'', in March 1983. In addition to "Theme from ''Harry's Game''", it featured a mix of original and traditional Irish songs plus a cover of "[[I See Red (Jim Rafferty song)|I See Red]]" by [[Jim Rafferty]]. The album peaked at No.&nbsp;26 in the UK, and became the group's first album to be [[Music recording certification|certified gold]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John T. |editor-last=Koch |editor-link=John T. Koch |title=Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopaedia |publisher=[[ABC-Clio]] |date=2006 |pages=1627–1628}}</ref> Two singles were released from the album: "I See Red" went to No.&nbsp;19 in Ireland and No.&nbsp;81 in the UK, and "[[Newgrange (song)|Newgrange]]" reached No.&nbsp;30 and No.&nbsp;65, respectively. In April 1983, Clannad were awarded a ''Hot Press'' Music Award for their impact on Irish music in the previous year.<ref name="BT83">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19830416/152/0011 |url-access=subscription |title=Clannad: The Success Theme Continues |first=Liam |last=Creagh |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=16 April 1983 |page=11 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> Around this time, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} noted that although the group had lost fans of their traditional folk sound, they had gained new ones as a result of their commercial success.<ref name="NEP84" />

A month after ''Magical Ring'' was released, the band were commissioned to score the 26-episode television drama series ''[[Robin of Sherwood]]'', which was broadcast on ITV from 1984 to 1986.<ref name="BT83" /> They created music for a range of characters and events related to the legend of [[Robin Hood]] and, for the first time, they recorded entirely in English. In May 1984, a soundtrack album from the series was released as ''[[Legend (Robin of Sherwood soundtrack)|Legend]]'' and reached No.&nbsp;9 in New Zealand and No.&nbsp;15 in the UK. The theme tune of the series was released as a single titled "[[Robin (The Hooded Man)]]" that went to No.&nbsp;19 in Ireland and No.&nbsp;42 in the UK. Clannad won a [[BAFTA]] for Best Original Television Music, the first Irish band to win it, in 1985.<ref name="OTT85">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/that-clanned-moment/11781 |title=That Clannad Moment |first=Tony |last=Bacon |date=June 1985 |work=One Two Testing |issue=Jun 1985 |pages=54–55 |via=Muzines |access-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> In 1984, the band embarked on their first major concert tour of the UK, which was followed by a 18-month world tour, including dates across the US and USSR.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002320/19840810/185/0018 |url-access=subscription |title=Last Chance to Catch Clannad |first=Eric |last=Myles |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=16 April 1983 |page=11 |via=British Newspaper Archives |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="NEP84" />

===1985–1989: ''Macalla'' and ''Sirius''===
In 1985, Clannad released their next album, {{lang|ga|[[Macalla]]}} ('Echo'), which was recorded in Switzerland, England, and Ireland. Apart from one traditional song, the album contained all-original material, and yielded a hit single, "[[In a Lifetime]]", a duet with U2 singer [[Bono]], which began with {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} teaching some Irish to Bono during the introduction.<ref>'"Easter-egg" during first 20 seconds of "Lifetime"', {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} explains during public IRC chat with fans, 2003.</ref> The album featured numerous backing musicians, who continued to work with the band on tour, including ex-[[King Crimson]] saxophonist [[Mel Collins]], [[Moving Hearts]]' guitarist [[Anthony Drennan]], and drummer Paul Moran. Also on board was producer [[Steve Nye]], who oversaw the pop-flavoured "[[Closer to Your Heart (Clannad song)|Closer to Your Heart]]" and the ballad "[[Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)]]" both of which became hit singles. "Almost Seems" served as the [[Children in Need]] charity single in 1985. In 1986, the band put out their first anthology<!--Not "compilation"; that means various artists.--> album, ''[[The Collection (Clannad album)|The Collection]]''.

In October 1987, Clannad worked with American producers [[Russ Kunkel]] (drummer of [[James Taylor]]'s band) and [[Greg Ladanyi]] on their next album, ''[[Sirius (Clannad album)|Sirius]]''. The album was given a contemporary pop-influenced sound and production, creating the impression that it was recorded in the US, although it was recorded in the UK and mixed in Los Angeles.<ref name="SOS93" /> {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} Brennan recalled that the band had been at an experimental stage at the time and said Ladanyi and Kunkel had not listened to their previous records. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} thought the music had been "sandpapered down to be a radio-friendly album", and that the production had relied too heavily on a computer.<ref name="SOS93" /> ''Sirius'' featured "[[Something to Believe In (Clannad song)|Something to Believe In]]", a duet with [[Bruce Hornsby]] on vocals and keyboards, and guest appearances by [[Steve Perry (musician)|Steve Perry]] (of [[Journey (band)|Journey]]) and [[JD Souther]]. In February 1988, the band began a world tour which included dates across Europe, Australia, and the US, to commemorate their 15th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002324/19880228/179/0015 |title=[Untitled] |date=28 February 1988 |work=Sunday Independent<!--Which one? There are 4 notable papers by this name. Link to the correct one. BNA archives more than UK papers. It's probably the Irish one but at this stage in their career it could have been any of the 4.--> |page=15 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 July 2023}}</ref>

In between their 1988 tour dates, the group scored three episodes of the BBC wildlife documentary series ''[[Natural World (TV series)|Natural World]]'' about the [[Atlantic Ocean]], which were broadcast in January 1989. A soundtrack album of the score was released in 1989 as ''[[Atlantic Realm]]'' by [[BBC Records]] (reissued 1996 by BMG), and went to No.&nbsp;41 in the UK. In addition, Clannad released a second anthology<!--Not "compilation"; that means various artists.--> album, ''[[Pastpresent]]'', which focused on their output 1982-on, with two new tracks: "[[The Hunter (Clannad song)|The Hunter]]" and "World of Difference". The album was a commercial success, peaking at No.&nbsp;5 in the UK, where it was certified platinum for over 300,000 copies sold.<ref name="SW89">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002323/19890813/107/0021 |title=Up in Clannad's hillside 'haunt' |date=13 August 1989 |first=Eddie |last=Rowley |work=[[Sunday World]] |page=21 |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref> It was promoted with a sold-out UK tour and the release of a double A-side single, "[[Hourglass (Clannad song)|Hourglass]]" with "Theme from ''Harry's Game''", although "Hourglass" was not on the anthology. Clannad provided music for ''The Angel and the Soldier Boy'', an animated film narrated by actor [[Tom Conti]]. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan wrote the music, which was performed by the band. A soundtrack with the same name was released in 1989. Also in 1989, Clannad won four [[Clio Award]]s for their music used in a US advertisement produced by {{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Fáilte Ireland|An Bord Fáilte]]}}.<ref name="SW89" />

===1989–2000: four-piece band, ''Anam'', ''Banba'', and ''Lore''===
In 1989, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan left Clannad to work with [[Peter Gabriel]] as a producer for the [[WOMAD]] arts festival and as an acoustic specialist.<ref name="R213" /> The band continued as a four-piece and wrote, arranged, and recorded their next album, {{lang|ga|[[Anam (album)|Anam]]}} ('Soul'), in under three months, with {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan becoming their producer and primary songwriter.<ref name="SOS93" /> Released in October 1990, the album&nbsp;– which included the group's sister/niece [[Brídín Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}} Brennan]] as a guest [[harmony vocalist]]&nbsp;– peaked at No.&nbsp;14 in the UK. Its US release followed in 1992 and included "In a Lifetime" and "Theme from ''Harry's Game''", which had appeared in the film ''[[Patriot Games (film)|Patriot Games]]'' (1992) and a [[Volkswagen]] television advert, boosting the group's recognition.<ref name="R213" /><ref name="SOS93" /> The interest generated by the Volkswagen advert saw {{lang|ga|Anam}} reach No.&nbsp;46 on the US ''Billboard'' 200, the group's highest position on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2AkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76 |title=Between the Bullets |first=Geoff |last=Mayfield |date=9 August 1997 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=109 |issue=32 |page=76 |access-date=30 July 2021}}</ref> In 1996, the album reached gold certification in the US after selling 500,000 copies.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url= https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=clannad#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum |work=RIAA.com |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]}}</ref> The track won a [[Billboard Music Award|''Billboard'' Music Award]] for World Music Song of the Year. "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Rí na Cruinne}}" was included on ''[[One World One Voice]]'', a charity compilation album<!--Not "anthology"; that means single-artist.--> intended to raise awareness of environmental issues.

{{listen
 | filename     = clannadfind.ogg
 | title        = "I Will Find You"
 | description  = From {{lang|mga|[[Banba (album)|Banba]]}} (1993).
 | format       = [[Ogg]]
}}
In 1990, Brídín re-joined the group for live performances, supplying additional instruments and backing vocals. Around this time a documentary on the band's 20-year history was produced, titled ''Clannad in Donegal''.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19901028/176/0014 |title=On the Side |date=28 October 1990 |work=[[Sunday Tribune]] |page=12 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> In 1991, Clannad released a cover version of "[[Both Sides Now (song)|Both Sides Now]]" by [[Joni Mitchell]], as a duet with singer [[Paul Young (singer and guitarist)|Paul Young]]. The track had been recorded for the [[Blake Edwards]] film ''[[Switch (1991 film)|Switch]]''.

In late 1992, the group started working on material for their next album, {{lang|mga|[[Banba (album)|Banba]]}}, named after [[Banbha|an Irish mythological figure]]. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} wrote fifteen songs in his home studio, and he and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} picked out tracks to develop further and produced demos, then arranged the best parts into complete songs.<ref name="SOS93" /> Released in May 1993, the album went to No.&nbsp;5 in the UK and No.&nbsp;110 in the US. It featured "I Will Find You", written for the film ''[[The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film)|The Last of the Mohicans]]'' (1992), and had {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} singing in English, [[Mahican language|Mohican]], and [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]]. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} said director [[Michael Mann]] had liked their Irish songs, but they were unsure of writing a song about early American history in Irish and opted instead to use Native American languages. An English version was also recorded.<ref name="SOS93" /> {{lang|mga|Banba}} was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album and, like its predecessor, it achieved gold certification in the US after selling 500,000 copies.<ref name="RIAA" /> The album was supported by Clannad's 20th anniversary UK tour, which ended in July 1993 with a concert at [[Lincoln Castle]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000332/19930719/002/0002 |title=Clannad celebrate 20 years in style |date=19 July 1993 |work=[[Lincolnshire Echo]] |page=2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref>

By early 1996, Clannad had recorded and finished the next album, ''[[Lore (Clannad album)|Lore]]'', but its release was delayed after the band tried to leave [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]] (owner of RCA Records since 1987) and sign a worldwide deal with [[Atlantic Records]], their US distributor.<ref name="ST96">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19960324/376/0049 |title=Rock profile: Roderick O'Connor talks to Máire Brennan about the return of Clannad |date=24 March 1996 |work=[[Sunday Tribune]] |page=14 |first=Roderick |last=O'Connor |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> Released in March 1996, the album, which featured American drummer [[Vinnie Colaiuta]], reached No.&nbsp;14 in the UK and debuted at No.&nbsp;1 on the ''Billboard'' Top World Albums chart, displacing [[Gipsy Kings]] after their 24-week run at the top.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001730/19960311/078/0010 |title=Clannad are on top of the world |date=11 March 1996 |work=[[The Herald (Ireland)|Evening Herald]] |page=10 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Croí Cróga}}" ('Brave Heart') was originally written for the [[Mel Gibson]] film ''[[Braveheart]]'' (1995), but did not make the final cut for its soundtrack.<ref name="ST96" /> "Farewell Love" was used in the soundtrack of the Irish drama film ''[[A Further Gesture]]'' (1997). 

Clannad's tour to promote the album included their first sold-out shows in Japan,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001730/19961220/052/0010 |title=''Late Late'' snub for Clannad |date=20 December 1996 |work=[[The Herald (Ireland)|Evening Herald]] |page=10 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> and also featured another of the younger siblings, Deirdre (Dee) Brennan, as a touring member of the band on {{lang|ga|[[bodhrán]]}} percussion and backing vocals (along with guest musicians [[Mel Collins]], [[Ian Parker (keyboardist)|Ian Parker]], Ian Melrose, and Ray Fean, several of whom would collaborate on further Clannad and Máire/Moya Brennan albums).{{efn|Highlights from the European leg of this tour were released in 2005 on the live album ''[[Clannad: Live in Concert]]''.}}

Also that year, Clannad received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the [[Irish Recorded Music Association]]. In April 1996, the group split with their manager, Dave Kavanagh, after 14 years.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001730/19960429/054/0010 |title=Clannad and top manager to split |date=29 April 1996 |work=[[The Herald (Ireland)|Evening Herald]] |page=10 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref>

Clannad returned to RCA/BMG in 1997 with the album ''[[Landmarks (Clannad album)|Landmarks]]''. Deirdre Brennan reappeared as guest {{lang|ga|[[bodhrán]]}} player on two tracks, "Let Me See" and "Of This Land"; in the latter, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} sang about Ireland's past and future. The track "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Fadó}}" ('Long Ago') demonstrated the influences of Celtic history on the band's music. In 1999, ''Landmarks'' won the group a [[Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Grammy award for Best New Age Album]]. Also in 1999, the group wrote "What Will I Do" for the [[Kevin Costner]] romantic-drama film ''[[Message in a Bottle (film)|Message in a Bottle]]''.

===2000–2024: hiatus, five-piece reunion, ''Nádúr'', and final tour===
[[Image:Clannadreform.jpg|thumb|240px|Clannad returned as a five piece in January 2007]]
Between 1999 and 2007, Clannad were largely inactive while individual members pursued solo projects. {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} started publicly using the spelling [[Moya Brennan]] in 2002, despite having previously released a solo album titled {{lang|ga|Máire}}. In 2003, BMG/RCA released the greatest hits anthology<!--Not "compilation"; that means various artists.--> ''[[The Best of Clannad: In a Lifetime]]'', which peaked at No.&nbsp;23 in the UK. In the following year, the Duggan twins recorded together for the first time outside of Clannad and released an album, ''[[Rubicon (The Duggans album)|Rubicon]]'', under the name [[the Duggans]].

Clannad reunited for a one-off performance in 2006 during Moya Brennan's solo concert in [[De Doelen]], the Netherlands, which was dedicated to their parents, Leo and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} "Baba" Brennan. The version of the group included {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} and Deirdre Brennan, performing five songs together in the second half of the concert. Leo and Baba {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}}, who were present, did not know that this was planned. The performance was greeted with standing ovations from the audience.<ref name="BBC Scotland">{{cite web |url= http://www.megavideo.com/?v=ZPR8C6ZM |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111002174832/http://www.megavideo.com/?v=ZPR8C6ZM |archive-date=2 October 2011 |work=Megavideo |title=I'm watching it}}</ref> In January 2007, the five original members of Clannad performed at the [[Celtic Connections|Celtic Connections Festival]] in [[Glasgow]]. In the following month, the group received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual [[Meteor Music Awards|Meteor Ireland Music Awards]] in Dublin.

In March 2008, Clannad began their first UK tour in over 12 years.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://clannad.nl// |title=The Clannad Newsblog |work=Clannad.nl |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071117222142/http://www.clannad.nl/ |archive-date=17 November 2007}}</ref> In May 2008, Clannad's version of the traditional song "[[Down by the Salley Gardens]]" was featured in the [[GCSE]] listening paper for music from the [[Oxford, Cambridge, and RSA Examinations]] exam board. Also in 2008, two anthologies<!--Not "compilations"; that means various artists.--> were released: ''[[Celtic Themes: The Very Best of Clannad]]'', and ''[[Beginnings: The Best of the Early Years]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.clannad.org.uk/2008/08/new-clannad-compilation-confirmed/ |title=New Clannad Compilation Confirmed&nbsp;– ''Northern Skyline'' |work=Clannad.org.uk |access-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120213205035/http://www.clannad.org.uk/2008/08/new-clannad-compilation-confirmed/ |archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref> In 2009, Clannad were nominated for an IMA Award for Best Revival Act.<ref name="IMAannouncement">{{cite web |url= http://www.clannad.org.uk/2009/06/clannad-enya-nominated-for-irelands-music-awards/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110526012612/http://www.clannad.org.uk/2009/06/clannad-enya-nominated-for-irelands-music-awards/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 May 2011 |title=Clannad & Enya Nominated for IMA's! |work=Clannad.org.uk |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="IMAClannadProfile">{{cite web |url= http://www.irelandsmusicawards.com/nominees.php?c=27&id=131 |title=Profile: Clannad |access-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151017064353/http://www.irelandsmusicawards.com/nominees.php?c=27&id=131 |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref>

In 2011, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan returned to the group as a full-time member for the first time since 1990. He said later that the most exciting thing about his return was writing songs with his brother {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} again.<ref name="LS2022" /> In January 2011, two additional concerts were scheduled at [[Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin|Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin]] after high demand for tickets. The group appeared on [[RTÉ]]'s ''[[The Late Late Show (Ireland)|The Late Late Show]]'' on 21 January, performing "[[Theme from Harry's Game|Theme from ''Harry's Game'']]" with vocal ensemble {{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Anúna]]}}. It was their first appearance on the show in 14 years.<ref name="RTÉ10">{{cite web |url= http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0121/latelateshow.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110123180513/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0121/latelateshow.html |archive-date=23 January 2011 |title=Guests revealed for the ''Late Late Show'' |work=[[RTÉ.ie]]}}</ref>

In September 2013, Clannad released {{lang|ga|[[Nádúr]]}} ('Nature') on the [[ARC Music]] label, their first studio album since 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.clannad.ie/news/article.html?id=47 |title=Clannad Website / News (18 June 2013) |work=Clannad.ie |access-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141214223827/http://www.clannad.ie/news/article.html?id=47 |archive-date=14 December 2014}}</ref> It was the band's final album before the death of {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} Duggan in 2016. They began an international tour in October 2013 which started in Australia and New Zealand and continued through 2014. In 2016, Moya Brennan announced she had been diagnosed with [[pulmonary fibrosis]], a progressive lung disease that required her to rephrase the vocals to some songs.<ref name="LS2022">{{cite web |url= https://www.loudersound.com/features/youth-is-a-funny-thing-isnt-it-clannad-their-final-chapter |title='Youth is a funny thing, isn't it?' Clannad: their final chapter |first=Martin |last=Kielty |date=17 October 2022 |work=[[Louder (website)|Louder]] |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

In February 2020, BMG announced the release of ''[[In a Lifetime (album)|In a Lifetime]]'', a greatest-hits anthology<!--Not "compilation"; that means various artists.--> to commemorate the band's fiftieth anniversary. Released on 3 April by BMG, the album was available on CD, vinyl, digital platforms, and a deluxe edition that contained over 100 tracks spanning their career. The set included two new tracks, "A Celtic Dream" and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes", their first recordings since {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} Duggan's passing.<ref name="TEA20">{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Eric |url= https://www.thatericalper.com/2020/02/24/clannad-announce-in-a-lifetime-career-spanning-world-tour/ |title=Clannad Announce ''In a Lifetime'' Career-spanning World Tour |date=24 February 2020 |work=ThatEricAlper.com |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref> The album coincided with the In a Lifetime Tour, their final tour as a group, which was to take place in the UK and North America between March and October 2020.<ref name="TEA20" /> The tour was postponed after several shows because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Honigmann |first=David |date=6 March 2020 |title=Clannad: ''In a Lifetime'' — reflecting on a 50-year career |work=[[Financial Times]] |url= https://www.ft.com/content/695f3608-5c7e-11ea-8033-fa40a0d65a98 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/695f3608-5c7e-11ea-8033-fa40a0d65a98 |archive-date=10 December 2022}}</ref> and resumed in 2021. Noel Duggan died on 15 October 2022, aged 73. The band performed a farewell concert at the [[3Arena (Dublin)|3Arena in Dublin]] on 18 February 2023.<ref name="SW23">{{cite news |url= https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/irish-showbiz/clannad-singer-moya-brennan-says-the-band-were-laughed-at-when-they-started-off/457612641.html |title=Clannad singer Moya Brennan says the band were 'laughed at' when they started off |first=Eddie |last=Rowley |date=21 December 2022 |work=[[Sunday World]] |access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref> The tour concluded in Seattle, Washington, on 9 October 2023, after which Clannad planned to disband, with individual members pursuing solo projects.<ref name="SW23" />

However, the band later played their final concert in [[Royal Albert Hall]] on 30 October 2024. The first half comprised a 40th-anniversary reprise of ''Legend'' and other ''Robin of Sherwood'' material, with many of the TV show's actors in attendance. The second half consisted of other songs from their repertoire.

==Musical style and legacy==
[[File:Clannad at Meteor Awards.jpg|270px|thumb|The original Clannad line-up at the 2006 Meteor Awards: {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pádraig}} Duggan, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan, Moya Brennan, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan, and Noel Duggan]]
{{blockquote|There's a feeling in all our music, an ambience that stems directly from where we were brought up and to have to define our sound, I always say that if they were to visit Gweedore they wouldn't need to ask. |author={{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan |source=Clannad.org.uk<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.clannad.org.uk/media/library/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090330010633/http://www.clannad.org.uk/media/library/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 March 2009 |title=Clannad Interview and Article Library |work=Clannad.org.uk |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref>}}

When Clannad first started out in the early 1970s, their music and sound stemmed primarily from their traditional Irish background (albeit with rock and jazz influences). They popularised such old songs as "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Dúlamán]]}}", "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Teidhir Abhaile Riú}}" and "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair}}", and these songs remained favourites at their concerts. After departing from their folk and traditional background in 1982, they created a new sound that was to help define the meaning of [[New Age music|new age]] and especially modern [[Celtic music]]. When "Theme from ''Harry's Game''" and "Newgrange" were first heard, radio stations all over the world were fascinated by an unearthly and spiritual sound that they had not heard before.<ref name="Clannadfaq">{{cite web |url= http://uk.real.com/music/artist/Clannad/ |title=Clannad's 'Earthly' style |work=UK.[[Real.com]] |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> One critic said "the tunes were steeped in the old ways, but the production and the arrangement was fresh and inventive". This transition in Clannad's career is often seen as pioneering the Celtic music genre. They are also noted for their melodious [[harmonies]], which have been at the heart of their music since their first album. ''Legend'' (1984) was based on [[English folklore]], and with later albums Clannad delved further into the realms of [[electronica]] and [[Pop music|pop]]. Many of their singles entered pop charts around the world and widened their fan base. Despite their success with this genre of music, the group maintained a link with their Gaelic roots, giving traditional Irish songs such as "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Tráthnóna Beag Aréir}}" and "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Buachaill Ón Éirne}}" the Clannad treatment.

While the [[Rock music|rock]]-infused ''[[Sirius (Clannad album)|Sirius]]'' and the pop-inclined {{lang|ga|[[Macalla]]}} were successful, the style that the band created themselves has left the group's greater legacy. Its influence can be found in the soundtrack of the film ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'', where composer [[James Horner]] imitated Clannad's musical style<ref name="auto" /> and the soundtrack sounded so much like Clannad that it has been mistakenly attributed to them.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/titanic.html |title=''Titanic'' |work=Filmtracks.com |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> The band's 'Celtic mysticism' is a recurring theme in the film ''[[Intermission (film)|Intermission]]''.<ref name="Clannadmovie">{{cite web |url= http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/review.asp?ID=127 |title=Lynch uncovers his hardnosed relish for the nastier aspects of police work and his softer side too, deriving much pleasure through listening to Irish folk acts such as Clannad in his unmarked police car! |work=Futuremovies.co.uk |date=28 November 2003 |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> Lead singer Moya Brennan said that Clannad's "[[otherworld]]ly" and "ethereal" sound came from the ancient hills and glens that surrounded Gweedore.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.celtic-connection.com/entertainment/ent2012_03_01.html |title=Entertainment News |work=Celtic-Connection.com |access-date=7 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130119094355/http://www.celtic-connection.com/entertainment/ent2012_03_01.html |archive-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> Traces of Clannad's legacy can be heard in the music of many artists, including Enya, [[Altan (band)|Altan]], [[Capercaillie (band)|Capercaillie]], [[the Corrs]], [[Loreena McKennitt]], {{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Anúna]]}}, [[Riverdance]], [[Órla Fallon|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Órla}} Fallon]], and U2.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.irishexaminerusa.com/mt/2012/03/13/get_ready_for_the_return_of_mo.html |title=Get Ready for the Return of Moya Brennan and Clannad |work=[[Irish Examiner]] |date=13 March 2012 |access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://michaelmcglynn.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/clannad-and-the-free-design/ |title=The Free Design and Clannad |first=Michael |last=McGlynn |work=MichaelMcGlynn.Wordpress.com |date=7 October 2009 |access-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120316120541/http://michaelmcglynn.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/clannad-and-the-free-design/ |archive-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> Bono has said that Moya has "one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rgmbooking.com/artists/moya-brennan |title=Home |publisher=Real Good Music |work=RGMBooking.com |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141023191503/http://www.rgmbooking.com/artists/moya-brennan |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A [[Clannad (visual novel)|Japanese visual novel]] released in 2004, which spawned a 2007 film and a 2007–08 television series based on it, was named after the band because screenwriter [[Jun Maeda]] mistakenly believed it to mean 'family' in Irish.<ref name="pre-Clannad">{{cite book |title=Pre-Clannad |date=15 April 2004 |publisher=[[SoftBank|SoftBank Creative]] |isbn=4-7973-2723-5 |language=ja |id={{ASIN|4797327235 |country=jp}}}}</ref>

==Brennan family==
<!--[[Brennan family]], [[The Brennan family]], [[The Brennans]], and [[Brennans]] redirect here. This should probably be turned into a [[WP:Set-index article]] instead of an increasingly long section at [[Clannad]], since not all members of the notable family are closely associated with Clannad. After that's done, create [[:Category:Brennan family]], since there are enough articles for one, including family members, bands/duos, and associated topics like [[Leo's Tavern]].-->
The Brennans are Ireland's most successful music family; in 2005, the combined record sales of Clannad and [[Enya]] exceeded 70 million,<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.moyabrennan.com/archives.php?newsid=53 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071117022206/http://www.moyabrennan.com/archives.php?newsid=53 |url-status=dead |first=Moya |last=Brennan |author-link=Moya Brennan |title=News Archive |archive-date=17 November 2007}}</ref> while the solo albums of [[Moya Brennan|Moya ({{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Máire}}) Brennan]], [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}} Brennan]], and [[Brídín Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}}]] have also been commercially and critically successful.

Leo Brennan (born Leopold Henry Brennan-Hardin; died 22 June 2016, aged 90)<ref name="donegaldaily.com Leo Brennan death">{{cite news |url= http://www.donegaldaily.com/2016/06/22/sadness-as-father-of-famous-clannad-clan-passes-away/ |title=Sadness as Father of Famous Clannad Clan Passes Away |date=22 June 2016 |work=[[Donegal Daily]] |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref> and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} "Baba" Duggan are the parents of the Brennan siblings {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} (Moya), {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}}]], Deirdre (Dee), Leon,<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Enya |author-link=Enya |user=official_enya |number=1471838573586432004 |date=17 December 2021 |title=It is with a deep and terrible sadness that I must announce the death of my beloved brother, Leon .... |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221128174639/https://twitter.com/official_enya/status/1471838573586432004 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Eithne}} (Enya), Olive, Bartley, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}}.

Leo Brennan was a musician who played in the Slieve Foy, an [[Irish showband]], while Baba {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} Duggan was an amateur musician who taught music at [[Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair|Gweedore Community School]] and led the local choir, {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Cór Mhúire Doire Beaga}}. The family lived in Dore, a parish in [[Gweedore]], County Donegal. In 1968, the pair bought a dilapidated pub in Meenaleck for [[Irish pound|Ir£]]1,500,<ref name="II05">{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001715/20050709/663/0085 |title=Love and the Music |date=9 July 2005 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |pages=22, 24–25 |first=John |last=Daly |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 July 2023}}</ref> Refurbished and re-opened as [[Leo's Tavern]], it became a gestation place for local music, including Clannad's formation.

The core of Clannad has consisted of {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}}, Moya/{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}}, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Pól}} Brennan (with their uncles Noel and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pádraig}} Duggan), although Enya/{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Eithne}}, Deirdre, Leon, Olive, and {{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}} have all been short-term studio band members, live band members, and/or studio guest performers with the group at one phase or another. Several of them have also participated in Moya/{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}}'s solo recordings, including Baba as a choir leader. Leon has also sometimes been involved in the management and production side for both acts. Deirdre (usually as Dee) and Olive have been guests on several Máire/Moya albums. Brídín, Dee, Máíre, and Olive have also all performed together as guests on Scottish band [[Runrig]]'s 1993 ''[[Amazing Things (Runrig album)|Amazing Things]]''. Most performer members of the family have individually collaborated with additional artists.

At the 2005 [[Earagail Arts Festival|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Earagail}} Arts Festival]], Leo performed solo, Baba led a {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Cór Mhúire Doire Beaga}} choir performance, and both Clannad and Moya Brennan featured in their own separate sets, though none were headliners for the event.{{efn|Highlights of all four sets have been released on a live compilation album, ''{{lang|ga|italic=unset|Earagail}} Arts Festival 2005: {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Oidhreacht}} (Legacy)''.}}

==Members==
'''Last members'''
* {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Ciarán}} Brennan&nbsp;– bass, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, vocals (1970-1988)
* [[Moya Brennan|Moya ({{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Máire}}) Brennan]]&nbsp;– vocals, harp (1970–2024)
* [[Pól Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pól}} Brennan]]&nbsp;– flute, guitar, percussion, whistles, vocals (1970–1990, 2011–2024)

'''Other members'''
* [[The Duggans|Noel Duggan]]&nbsp;– guitar, vocals (1970–2022; his death)
* [[The Duggans|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Pádraig}} Duggan]]&nbsp;– guitar, mandola, mandolin, vocals (1970–2016; his death)
* [[Enya|Enya ({{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Eithne}} Brennan)]]&nbsp;– keyboards, percussion, vocals (1980–1982)
* [[Brídín Brennan|{{lang|ga|italic=unset|nocat=y|Brídín}} Brennan]]&nbsp;– backing vocals, various instruments (1989–1990; touring-band and studio guest-musician only)
* Deirdre (Dee) Brennan&nbsp;– percussion, backing vocals (1996–1997, 2006; touring-band and studio guest-musician only)

==Discography==
{{main|Clannad discography}}

===Studio albums===
* ''[[Clannad (album)|Clannad]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Clannad 2]]'' (1974)
* {{lang|ga|[[Dúlamán (album)|Dúlamán]]}} (1976)
* {{lang|ga|[[Crann Úll]]}} (1980)
* {{lang|ga|[[Fuaim]]}} (1982)
* ''[[Magical Ring]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Legend (Robin of Sherwood soundtrack)|Legend]]'' (1984)
* {{lang|ga|[[Macalla]]}} (1985)
* ''[[Sirius (Clannad album)|Sirius]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Atlantic Realm]]'' (1989)
* ''[[The Angel and the Soldier Boy]]'' (1989)
* {{lang|ga|[[Anam (album)|Anam]]}} (1990)
* {{lang|mga|[[Banba (album)|Banba]]}} (1994)
* ''[[Lore (Clannad album)|Lore]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Landmarks (Clannad album)|Landmarks]]'' (1997)
* {{lang|ga|[[Nádúr]]}} (2013)
* ''Legend'' (40th Anniversary Edition) (2024)

===EPs===
*  ''Christmas Angels'' (1997)

===Live albums===
* ''[[Clannad in Concert]]'' (1979) 
* ''[[Clannad: Live in Concert]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Clannad: Christ Church Cathedral]]'' (2012)
* {{lang|ga|Turas}}'' 1980'' (2018)

==Videography==
* ''[[Pastpresent]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Clannad: Christ Church Cathedral]]'' (2012)

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Pastpresent]]'' (1989)&nbsp;– [[Sheet music|sheet-music]] book for ''Pastpresent'' album
* ''A Woman's Voice'' (1991)&nbsp;– Eddie Rowley in conversation with {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} Brennan
* ''[[Ireland: Landscapes of God's Peace]]'', {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} Brennan (2002)&nbsp;– sometimes called ''God of Peace''
* ''[[The Other Side of the Rainbow (book)|The Other Side of the Rainbow: The Autobiography of the Voice of Clannad]]'', {{lang|ga|italic=unset|Máire}} Brennan, with Angela Little (2001)
* ''[[Moments in a Lifetime]]'', Noel Duggan (2008)&nbsp;– detailing Clannad's journey as a band

==Awards and nominations==
<!-- To be expanded -->

'''Won'''
*1982: [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello Awards]], Best Soundtrack, for "[[Theme from Harry's Game|Theme from ''Harry's Game'']]"
*1984: [[38th British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Awards]], Best Television Music, for ''[[Robin of Sherwood]]''
*1992: [[Billboard Music Award]], World Music Song of the Year, for "{{lang|ga|italic=unset|[[Anam (album)|Rí na Cruinne]]}}"
*1999: [[Grammy Awards of 1999|Grammy Awards]], [[Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album]], for ''[[Landmarks (Clannad album)|Landmarks]]''
*2007: [[Meteor Music Awards#2007 Awards|Meteor Music Awards]], Lifetime Achievement Award
*2014: [[BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards]], Lifetime Achievement Award

'''Nominations'''
#1982: [[36th British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Awards]], Best Television Music, for ''[[Theme from Harry's Game|Theme from ''Harry's Game'']]''
#1994: [[Grammy Awards of 1994|Grammy Awards]], [[Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album]], for {{lang|mga|[[Banba (album)|Banba]]}}
#1996: [[Grammy Awards of 1996|Grammy Awards]], [[Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album]], for ''[[Lore (Clannad album)|Lore]]''
#2009: Ireland's Music Awards, Best Revival Act
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
* [https://clannad.tmstor.es/ Official Clannad Store] 
* {{discogs artist|Clannad}}
* {{IMDb name|0163395}}

{{Clannad|state=expanded}}
{{Enya}}
{{Moya Brennan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clannad| ]]
[[Category:BAFTA winners (people)]]
[[Category:Celtic fusion groups]]
[[Category:Irish celtic rock groups]]
[[Category:Culture in Gweedore]]
[[Category:Family musical groups]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Irish folk musical groups]]
[[Category:Irish folk rock groups]]
[[Category:Ivor Novello Award winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1970]]
[[Category:Musical groups from County Donegal]]
[[Category:RCA Records artists]]
[[Category:Irish-language musical groups]]
[[Category:1970s in Irish music]]
[[Category:1980s in Irish music]]
[[Category:1990s in Irish music]]
[[Category:2000s in Irish music]]
[[Category:2010s in Irish music]]
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