Clannad singer Moya Brennan has been named Donegal Person of the Year for 2023.
The chart-topping star took the award at a function held tonight (SAT) in the village of Creeslough, the scene of the 2022 tragedy which claimed the lives of 10 people.
There were emotional scenes as the singer was named as the latest recipient of the award.
Last year’s winner was the People of Creeslough following the awful tragedy of October 7th, 2022.
The winner of the award is chosen by a panel from the Donegal Association in Dublin.
Ms Brennan she was simply honoured to be chosen to receive the award.
The Gaoth Dobhair woman said ‘I am so thrilled to be the 2023 Donegal Person of the Year. To receive such an acknowledgment from my home County is such a huge honour.
“I know my fans around the world will be delighted as they know how much this means to me. I always talk about my wonderful Donegal when I am abroad.”
President of the Donegal Association Elaine Caffrey said it was an honour and a privilege to present Moya with the 2023 Donegal Person of the Year.
She said “The first lady of Celtic Music, she has had an amazing career which has spanned an incredible six decades and is still going strong. Moya has many fans from all over the world, has sold millions of records and recorded 25 albums.
“It is very fitting that we are here in Creeslough to announce that Moya is the next Donegal Person of the year, as last January she co-hosted the Together for Creeslough concert with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
“From the beginning of Moya’s career with her father 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 that she is from just over the road in Gaoth Dobhair and takes every chance she gets to speak about her beloved County Donegal.’
Chairperson of the Donegal Association in Dublin Kevin McFadden said “We in the Donegal Association Dublin are delighted to be in Creeslough tonight to announce our 2023 Donegal Person of the Year. I’d like to thank Lorcan and the staff in Rose’s for hosting us tonight and Majella in the fantastic Creeslough Hub for the use of the hub this evening.
“The Committee have once again been very much impressed with the quality and calibre of nominations received this year and have no doubt that there are many worthy Donegal Persons of the Year, but this year it’s fitting we are in the home of ‘The Girl from Donegal’ Bridie Gallagher to announce our 2023 Donegal Person of the Year. A person who has spent a lifetime promoting Donegal by doing what she loves.”
Moya Brennan will be inaugurated as The Donegal Person of the Year 2023 at the Donegal Person of the Year Gala Ball on Saturday, 6th of April in The Bonnington Hotel in Dublin.
