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Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin () was born and grew up as the eldest child of a very musical family in the remote parish of Gweedore ( Gaoth Dobhair ), in Ireland's northernmost county, Donegal, a Gaeltacht area in which the Irish language and tradition continue to flourish.

Her mother Máire ( better known by her nickname, Baba )( née Ní Dhúgáin or Duggan in English ) was a music teacher and her father Leo Brennan was a member of a cabaret band with whom she performed as a child.

Moya is the eldest of nine children, her sisters are Deirdre, Eithne ( better known as Enya ), Olive, Brídín and her brothers are Ciarán, Pól, Leon and Bartley.

She sang along with her siblings in the family pub, Leo's Tavern, in the village of Meenaleck, a short distance from the family home.

She also took part in many pantomimes in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, the local theatre, usually dancing and singing.

After leaving secondary school Brennan spent a few years at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin studying the harp, the piano and singing.

She later taught music at Holy Cross College in Falcarragh, County Donegal.