Clannad, whose name is taken from an Clann as Dobhar meaning the family from Dore, was formed by the Brennan family in 1970. Máire, Ciarán and Pól Brennan joined uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan and began performing in their father Leo's tavern. Máire's sister, Enya, joined the band in 1979 and left three years later to pursue a successful solo career. Máire has also enjoyed a simultaneous career as a solo singer, starting with her 1992 album entitled Máire, and recently altered the spelling of her name to Moya Brennan.
Harry's Game, the group's theme song for a television thriller, prominently featured in the film Patriot Games, was also used in a commercial for Volkswagen in 1992, and won Clannad newfound popularity in the United States. Another hit was the 1985 song In a Lifetime with Bono of U2. Their song, I Will Find You, is part of the soundtrack for the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans.
The mega-selling album Lore (1996) also gave some thought to the Native American Indians. On Trail Of Tears Noel Duggan imagined how it felt to be exiled from your ancestral land. He was also thinking about these people and their connection with the Irish. How for instance, these distant American cousins had sent money to Ireland during the potato famine of the Nineteenth Century.
Their Grammy in 1999, (their third nomination) was in recognition for the Landmarks (1998) record, which was once again sited in the heartland of Donegal, shaped by the mountains, the glens and the sea-lashed shores of Gweedore. In Of This Land Moya sings about Ireland, of its past and of its future. The track Fadó translates as "Long Ago", which once again demonstrates the influence of old Celtic history on Clannad's music.
In 2003, Clannad released the best of album, In A Lifetime, which is one of their biggest selling albums to date.
Clannad have gone from strength to strength, and from their early days have created a massive fan base. The youngest of the siblings, Moya's (Máire's) sister and goddaughter is the musician Brídín Brennan.
In 2008, Clannad again began touring, beginning with a UK tour in March. Clannad's Noel Duggan in March 2008 released the band's official biography, 'Moments in a Lifetime', which includes many unseen photographs, and the band's latest (15th) compilation 'Celtic Themes' was released a few days later.
In June 2009, Clannad was nominated for an IMA Award in the category Best Revival Act.
Their album Nádúr (their first new album since the release of Landmarks in 1997) was released worldwide in September 2013.
In 2019, Clannad embarked on their In a Lifetime farewell tour, but it was postponed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new compilation album entitled, In a Lifetime (which included two new tracks), was released.
Discography
* 1972 — The Pretty Maid (Clannad)
* 1974 — Clannad 2
* 1976 — Dúlamán
* 1978 — Clannad in Concert [live]
* 1979 — Ring Of Gold [live, unofficial bootleg]
* 1980 — Crann Úll
* 1982 — Fuaim
* 1983 — Magical Ring
* 1984 — Legend [soundtrack]
* 1985 — Macalla
* 1987 — Sirius
* 1987 — The Collection [collection]
* 1988 — Atlantic Realm [soundtrack]
* 1989 — Pastpresent [collection]
* 1989 — The Angel and the Soldier Boy [soundtrack]
* 1992 — Anam
* 1993 — Banba
* 1995 — Lore
* 1995 — Themes [collection]
* 1997 — Landmarks
* 1997 — Rogha: The Best of Clannad [collection]
* 1998 — An Diolaim [collection]
* 2003 — The Best of Clannad: In A Lifetime [collection]
* 2005 — Clannad - Live In Concert, 1996 [live]
* Nádúr (2013)
Official website: www.clannad.ie
Northern Skyline: www.clannad.org.uk
Caislean Oir
Clannad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reált geal san oíche
Tá'n fharraige ciúin
Agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
An fharraige chiúin
Ina codladh sa ghaoth
Thíos sa ghleann an ghleann an cheo
Tá'n fharraige ciúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth
Driocht a mheall na daoine roinn
Soilse geala i gCaisleán Óir
Tá'n fharraige ciúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth
The lyrics of Clannad's song "Caislean Oir" create an enchanting image of a tranquil night with a serene sea and peaceful wind. The words "Thart orainn" means "Around us," signifying the stillness that surrounds everything. The "Reált geal san oíche" refers to the bright stars shining in the night sky, as it is often said that stars shine brighter in the countryside. The gentle sound of the sea and the wind creates a calming atmosphere, inducing a sense of deep rest.
The second verse shifts to a misty valley where the sun's rays are seen through the mist. It reflects the beauty of the morning sun as it breaks through the fog, casting a golden light over the valley. The chorus repeats with a slight variation, providing a soothing sense of continuity, like waves continually repeating their gentle movements. The "Driocht a mheall na daoine roinn" signifies the magic that lures people, drawing them in to experience the beauty and serenity of this magical place. "Soilse geala i gCaisleán Óir" means "bright light in the castle of gold," referring to the mystical castle of gold that we may call a metaphor for the peace and tranquility of the surroundings.
Overall, Clannad's song "Caislean Oir" creates a haunting yet peaceful vibe with its soothing melody and soft lyrics. It tells a tale of a mysterious place full of magic, where one can experience peace and tranquility while being surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Thart orainn
Around us
Reált geal san oíche
Bright stars in the night
Tá'n fharraige ciúin
The sea is calm
Agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
And peace in the wind
An fharraige chiúin
The calm sea
Ina codladh sa ghaoth
Sleeping in the wind
Thíos sa ghleann an ghleann an cheo
Down in the valley, the mist
Riocht na gréine i gCaisleán Óir
The sun's rays on Castle Golden
Tá'n fharraige ciúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
The sea is calm and peace in the wind
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth
The calm sea sleeping in the wind
Driocht a mheall na daoine roinn
Magic that lures people apart
Soilse geala i gCaisleán Óir
Bright lights in Castle Golden
Tá'n fharraige ciúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth
The sea is calm and peace in the wind
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth
The calm sea sleeping in the wind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CIARAN MARION BRENNAN, MOYA BRENNAN, PAUL HUGH BRENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Simes158
Back in 1986 I was training to get into the Royal Marines and I spent a bit of time in the Brecon Beacons trying to get fit. I remember standing on a pitch dark track at midnight, looking at the black outline of Pen-y-Fan mountain against the night sky, whilst listening to this song on my mates car stereo. I'll never shake that image from my mind. It was one of those moments when you realise just how special being alive can be...
@ryantorybrysonmurrihy8813
It is irish Celtic music..hardly the thing to be using to train with the British butcher army 💚🤍🧡🇮🇪💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣
@Simes158
@@ryantorybrysonmurrihy8813 It's a good thing the Royal Marines are part of the Royal Navy then 🙄😒
@bob-yd8xv
@@ryantorybrysonmurrihy8813 Ireland is part of Britain. Everyone in Ireland is British...
@adammartin7007
Nice setting for this music. Those parts of Wales remind me of Co Wicklow in Ireland.
@thomasfenton2279
This song also reminds me of Black Mountain in South Wales , part of the Brecon Beacons , I first heard it as a kid before we went for a walk up the mountains. It suited the landscape.
@WolfShaman777
Gorgeous, does not even begin to describe this song. A time trip for old souls, this "druidic" magic surely is our memory. Thank you so, so much.
@drafius2549
Peace.
@sillyNstressed
Agreed. I just discovered this song the other day, and I can't get over how beautiful it is.
@JordoF6
For me this song echoes , the greatness of the Irish of old. Still shrouded in mystery and legends. It also portrays a very serious side to the Irish spirit a haunting side .