Cottage Bar patrons enjoy surprise performance from Clannad's Moya Brennan

Patrons who were enjoying a night in the Cottage Bar on main street, Letterkenny, got a pleasant surprise when Moya Brennan from Clannad took to the stage with her family. 

Moya was joined by her daughter Aisling and her husband Tim Jarvis and she sang Down By the Sally Gardens. 

Taking to the stage in the Cottage Bar, she said: “We will do one that you all know, it was written by one of our great poets WB Yeats.”

She urged all those who were enjoying their evening to join in with them by singing the chorus, which many did. The event was one that was organised by Steven Crane of Mouth Piece Open Mic Night. 

Many took to social media to pay tribute to the band. One of those who were present for the gig posted: “What a beautiful surprise for us all at the Cottage Bar last night. Moya Brennan with her husband and daughter.”

The open Mic Night at The Cottage Bar in Letterkenny was held to celebrate Irish and Ukrainian culture, on Tuesday, April 25. 

Moya commended all those who joined her in singing the Irish ballad when it was over. “Well done,” she said to resounding applause. 

Moya and her family share strong ties with the Cathedral town - it was in Letterkenny their career began in earnest.  In 1970 after winning the main prize at the Letterkenny Folk Festival, the group of aspiring traditional musicians were awarded the opportunity to record an album for Phillips Ireland, the Dublin-based division of the UK record label.

Clannad’s final farewell concert took place in Dublin’s 3Arena in February 2023 - bringing the curtain down on a career which spanned the course of half a century.