This article by Eoin McGarvey from the Donegal News archive featured in this newspaper when Moya Brennan was crowned Donegal Person of the Year 2023.
Gaoth Dobhair’s Moya Brennan became the 45th recipient of the Donegal Person of the Year award at a gala event in the Bonnington Hotel, Dublin on Saturday night attended by just short of 450 guests.
Moya was joined on the night by her husband Tim Jarvis, daughter Aisling, and son Paul, together with members of the extended Brennan family including her sisters Deirdre and Bridín, and brothers Bartley and Pól. The Celtic folk singer from the internationally known and talented musical family has had an amazing career which has spanned six decades, selling over twenty million records, and recording in excess of twenty-five albums.
From the beginning of Moya’s career with her father Leo in the Slieve Foy band, through her time in Clannad, the Moya Brennan band, and with the many groups she has been a part of and artists she has collaborated with, Moya has never forgotten her roots. The Gaoth Dobhair woman takes every chance she gets to speak about her beloved County Donegal when on the world stage.
She is also now very involved with assisting young up and coming musicians through the monthly Clubeo in the family pub at Meenaleck, a stage she first adorned herself as a young girl. The event has given a stage to many young singers and song writers, and it has been a great launch pad for many of them.
The front page of the Donegal News when Moya received the Donegal Person of the Year award.
Despite storm Kathleen, a huge crowd travelled from Donegal to be with Moya and her family on the night, joined by many Donegal folk now resident in Dublin. The Donegal Person of the Year event is the big annual get-together for Dublin resident Donegal folk, and they never fail to turn out in big numbers.
President of the Donegal Association Elaine Caffrey, who accompanied Moya into the ballroom, said it was an honour and privilege to present Moya with the 2023 Donegal Person of the Year award.
Association Chairman Kevin Mc Fadden told the Donegal News that the event was sold out, adding it would be a full house.
“We are delighted to have Moya as our Donegal Person of the Year. She has had an incredible career and has inspired so many people, particularly women all over the world to follow their dreams. We have an incredible line up of music here so tonight so it’s going to be a Gaoth Dobhair night without a doubt,” he said.
Speaking to the Donegal News in the Bonnington Hotel, Moya said it was a very overwhelming night
“When I was told I was the 2023 Donegal Person of the Year I felt very, very humbled. It’s a huge accolade, it’s amazing, it’s mighty, and it’s wonderful. Getting recognised by your own people is the most important award. Whenever I’m travelling abroad, I’m always talking about Donegal, and now I can tell them I’m the Donegal Person of the Year. It’s fantastic, it’s really special,” she said.
A video was played at the event featuring messages and tributes from people of all walks of life including President Michael D Higgins, Bono, Brian Kennedy, Paul Brady, Daniel O’Donnell, Imelda May, Maighread and Triona Ni Dhonaill, and Phil Coulter among others. Special video contributions were made by her mum Baba, who couldn’t be in attendance, her sisters Enya and Olive, and other relatives from Australia and places around the world.
Bono revealed in his contribution that Moya was in fact born in Dublin and not Donegal, but Elaine Caffrey of the Donegal Association was quick to reply that as a Donegal person she still qualifies for the award and that the Dubs weren’t going to claim this one!