Máire Brennan carried the ‘rich soul of Donegal’ to the world, mourners told

Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh said that when the Clannad singer died ‘it seemed as if, a sacred silence had descended for a while; the music stood still, and her beautiful harp stood silently in the corner of her room, as though keeping its own quiet vigil of respect and honour’.

The internationally celebrated singer, songwriter and harpist passed away aged 73 on Monday, April 13.

At her funeral on Friday pupils from Scoil Phádraig, Banna Ceoil Dhobhair and the staff of Ionad Naomh Pádraig community centre formed a guard of honour as her coffin was carried into Teach Pobail Phádraig Naofa just outside Crolly on the border of Gweedore and the Rosses.

Her song ‘Peacemaker’, featuring the voice of her son, Paul, when he was 4, was played as her coffin was placed before the altar.

Family photographs, a harp, a Donegal shirt, a bodhrán, tour lanyard and prayer book were brought forth to symbolise the loves of her life.

In his funeral homily Fr. Ó Fearraigh spoke of how ‘tears of sadness and tears of joy’ had ‘mingled with memories so lovingly shared by young and old alike’ in the days following Máire’s death.

"The sound of silence was soon, and very fittingly replaced by a beautiful and graceful musical celebration of a kind life well lived, woven through with pieces of scripture, poetry, and songs all of which were chosen by Máire herself,” he said.

The Parish Priest said that on the night Máire died her mother Baba’s first words to him were Tá sí sna flaitheas anois le dia (She is now in the Kingdom of God) and Mheall sí lena glórthaí mé (She enticed me with her voice).

“It was as though a mother, who knows and understands music herself, and at that very moment broken by grief, reached instinctively for the language of song, of music, of meaning, of purpose, because ordinary words were no longer enough,” he told the congregation.

During the Funeral Mass Máire’s family was joined by Commandant Barry Dolan representing President Catherine Connolly and Commandant Joseph Glennon representing the Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Among those providing the music during the service were her brothers and Clannad bandmates Ciarán and Pól Brennan, who played Turlough O’Carolan’s ‘Eleanor Plunkett’, a favourite from Máire’s repertoire that appeared on 1974’s Clannad 2, alongside Cormac DeBarra.

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell also sang alongside the local choirs Cór Phádraig and Cór Mhuire.

And a recording of ‘Perfect Time’, a song she wrote with her husband Tim, and which she performed for Pope John Paul II and an audience of 2.7m was played in tribute.

In his sermon Fr. Ó Fearraigh acknowledged that ‘Máire Brennan was above all, a woman of music and melody, a woman of motherhood, and mission’ and quoted her friend Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh of Altán – ‘It was always the song for Máire, and the voice, and her beautiful unique sound. She may be gone, but the voice will remain’.

He told mourners: "It has been said that, through her voice and her gifted playing of the harp, Máire carried the rugged beauty, that quiet strength, the ancient timeless mystery, and rich soul of Donegal to audiences right across the world.”

After the final blessing Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill sang the famous Gweedore song An Mhaighdéan Mhara (The Mermaid), a favourite of Máire’s that was collected from her neighbour Síle Mhicí Ní Ghallchóir by Séamus Ennis in 1960.

Fr. Ó Fearraigh spoke a final word of comfort and support after which the congregation rose to their feet and burst into applause in Máire’s memory.

Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Raphoe, who was unable to attend due to a Confirmation ceremony on Arranmore, sent his condolences, stating: “Máire Brennan was a gifted woman whose music touched the hearts of people far beyond her own native Gaoth Dobhair. She was, in a very real way, a bridge between faith and culture, and through her voice and music many people caught a glimpse of the transcendent.”

Before her wicker coffin was carried from the chapel Thíos Cois na Trá Domh – a traditional song from Clannad’s 1973 debut album – was performed by Clann Mhic Ruairí, accompanied by Cór Phádraig and Cór Mhuire.

Her remains were then taken for interment to Magheragallon Cemetery in Derrybeg.