Moya Brennan’s performance at SEAC Live promises to be a rousing and heart-warming prelude to Christmas. Moya will be joined by fellow Donegal icon, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and virtuoso harpist, Cormac De Barra in a selection of their own songs and tunes along with a unique take on some Christmas favourites.

In true Donegal family tradition, Moya will have her daughter Aisling (guitar, bouzouki), son Paul (percussion, keys) and husband Tim (cello) performing with her, while Mairead’s daughter Nia will complete the line up with her fine fiddle playing.

As lead singer and founder of Celtic pioneers, Clannad, Moya is celebrating 50 years on the road (and should have been touring the world with the band throughout 2020/21!). As a Grammy nominated solo artist, she has released nine albums and received the 2019 RTE Radio 1 Lifetime Achievement Award. With Cormac De Barra she has produced three Voices & Harps albums and her many other collaborations include film work with Hans Zimmer, dance music (notably Saltwater with Chicane) and last year’s expansive Colours with Ryan Vail and Elma Orchestra. Despite having to halt her touring schedule Moya kept busy during the year and has been involved in Women in Harmony collective releases in Ireland.

Cormac De Barra himself comes from a large family with a noteworthy background in music and the arts. His highly acclaimed versatility and skill as a harp-player continues to take him on a rich and diverse journey.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh has fronted Altan since its inception and as one of Ireland’s fiddle-playing and singing elite has toured the world as a foremost Irish musical ambassador. Her multi-generational musical family are steeped in the fine Donegal heritage which is also clearly evident in the emerging talent of her daughter Nia. She has managed to keep busy during the lockdown and, among other things, composed a commissioned piece for RTE Radio 1’s The Rolling Wave to express her experience and feeling during lockdown.