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Donegal musician Leo Brennan, father of Enya and Clannad, has died

He was 90 years old.

PastedImage-45412 John Warburton-Lee John Warburton-Lee

THE MAN WHO passed on his musical talent and knowledge to Enya, Moya Brennan and their Clannad siblings has died.

A popular musician in his own right, Leo Brennan was famous throughout his county of Donegal.

He died today at his Gweedore home, aged 90. He was surrounded by his all of family in his final days.
https://www.facebook.com/officialenya/posts/10157094494130088

Leo was born into a showband family and progressed naturally into a career as a musician and entertainer. During the showband era, he was not only a singer but played the accordion and saxophone. When that musical phase – along with its dance halls – disappeared from Ireland, he settled down as a publican in Meenaleck Donegal.

From 1968, Leo’s Tavern became a destination for nightly entertainment with much of the live music being provided by the Brennan family.

Honing their own skills there, his children soon followed in his footsteps with Enya, Moya and Clannad emerging as musical forces. 

Leo is survived by his wife Máire ‘Baba’ Brennan and children Moya, Ciarán, Pól, Deirdre, Leon, Enya, Olive, Bartley and Brídín.

His funeral Mass will take place at St Mary’s Chapel in Derrybeg at noon on Friday.

PiotrCuchulainn / YouTube

Tributes to the man have been expressed online.

Read: Joe Biden’s on his way to his ancestral home in Mayo (with Enda in tow)

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17 Comments
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    Mute Peter Hargan
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 1:53 PM

    In the famous words of the man himself at closing ti
    “Now ladies and gentlemen,time is our master”
    Thanks for the memories Leo

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:04 PM

    Headline is awful!! “Father of Enya and Clannad”?. Anyway aside from that, may he rest in peace. There’s surely an amazing concert going on somewhere with all the musicians that have passed this year. 2016 is kinda like the Government, it just keeps taking.

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:17 PM

    What’s wrong with that? “Fther of Enya and Clannad” tells us instantly who he was, for those of us who didn’t know.

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    Mute Naberius
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:25 PM

    I imagine Noel and Padraig Duggan will be surprised to find out he was their father.
    Typical lazy slop from thejournal.

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:43 PM

    Mmmmmmm, actually it doesn’t. And just like Sinead here today, you really should do your research before you put your foot in it. He was the father of four of the group (All who should have been named in the headline). However, he was not the father of the Duggan brothers, who although related to the band, are not their siblings.

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 3:41 PM

    This is a comments section, not a PHD Thesis submission. You can’t seriously expect people to do “research”.

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    Mute theedgeproductions
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:21 PM

    He dies a proud man and proud father who has made a great contribution to irish music and culture ..

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    Mute Bart Hoppenbrouwers
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:26 PM

    Rest In Peace Leo

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    Mute Dave Smith
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:21 PM

    up the standard of reporting please , “and their Clannad siblings has died” seriously? I get you might be too lazy to look up their names but they are people, they don’t go around together being introduced as “Clannad”

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 2:36 PM

    My thoughts exactly, they were just as important to him I’m sure as Enya was.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 3:21 PM

    Hey all,

    The names are all in there.

    Leo is survived by his wife Máire ‘Baba’ Brennan and children Moya, Ciarán, Pól, Deirdre, Leon, Enya, Olive, Bartley and Brídín.

    This was how his death notice was written by family and friends.

    Thanks
    Sinead

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    Mute Etherman
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 4:38 PM

    Sinead, you can please some of the people some of the time…..I think you know the rest.

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    Mute damien mac aodha
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 3:04 PM

    Ar dheis Dé a anam uasal. duine macánta den scoth.

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 3:05 PM

    A great musician and entertainer. A night in Tig Leo was always one to remember. He had great respect for his customers and always encouraged people to perform and entertain. Any teacher working in Loch an Iúir during the summer college season would remember his welcome and friendly disposition. He will be greatly missed. When a man like him passes on a great library closes. Luckily he has passed his talent to his children. Ar dheis Dé.

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    Mute Ian Phillip Creaner
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 3:33 PM

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Jun 22nd 2016, 4:03 PM

    Bartley Brennan, now that’s a name!

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    Mute Jeffre Tomred
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    Jun 26th 2016, 2:30 AM

    BE SMART AND BECOME RICH IN LESS THAN 3DAYS….It all depends on how fast you can be to get the new PROGRAMMED blank ATM card that is capable of hacking into any ATM machine,anywhere in the world. I got to know about this BLANK ATM CARD when I was searching for job online about l 5days ago ..It has really changed my life for good and now I can say I’m rich and I can never be poor again. The least money I get $2,000 daily and now i have $10,000… Everyday I keeping pumping money into my account. Though is illegal,there is no risk of being caught ,because it has been programmed in such a way that it is not traceable,it also has a technique that makes it impossible for the CCTVs to detect you..For details on how to get yours today, email the hackers on : (cindytedder767@yahoo.com) Tell your loved once too, and start to live large. That’s the simple testimony of how my life changed for good…Love you all …the email address again is (cindytedder767@yahoo.com)

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