ENYA

by Grace Sydney, Entertainment Editor

The sounds of traditional Irish airs flowed just as freely as the spirits served at Leo's Tavern, situated in the predominately

Gaelic-speaking area of Gweedore in County Donegal. The establishment was run by Leo Brennan, himself a musician who passed on his love of song to his prodigious progeny of nine, which included young Eithne Ni Bharaonain, better known today as
Enya. Performances from family members were a staple in the pub, and led to the birth in the 1970's of one of Ireland's most prominant groups, Clannad (Gaelic for "family"), comprised of the brother and sister team of Maire and Ciaran Brennan and uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan. Enya joined the troupe in 1980 and displayed her talents on two Clannad albums, Cran Ull and Fuaim, before making her mark as a solo artist.

Both Enya, who now resides in Artane to the north of Dublin, as well as her siblings have broadened their fan base with an eclectic mixture of traditional and New Age melodies, and their voices resonate in some of Hollywood's most poignant tales, including The Last of The Mohicans (Clannad's "I Will Find You"), Far and Away, Sweet November, and most recently The Lord of The Rings- The Fellowship of The Ring, where Enya's love song "Aniron" and Grammy-nominated "May It Be" echoes in the memory long after the credits have rolled.

SHEPHERD MOONS

Over the years Enya has interpreted her haunting melodies in a variety of idioms, ranging from Gaelic, her native tongue, to Latin and even a Tolkien-invented Elvish language. In her 1991 Grammy award winning album Shepherd Moons Enya proves that the sounds of love and hope are universal as she envelopes the listener in the quiet beauty of such songs as "Caribbean Blue", "Ebudae" and an ethereal version of a hymn from the 1800's, "How Can I Keep From Singing?"

DISCOGRAPHY

Only Time: The Collection- 2002
The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring- 2002
A Day Without Rain- 2000
Paint The Sky With Stars-1997
The Memory of Trees- 1995
The Celts- 1992
Shepherd Moons- 1991
Enya- 1987

If you enjoy the music of Enya, you may also like Loreena McKennitt

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