The funeral mass for musician Moya Brennan in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal, has heard that her music belonged to all as it spoke the language of every heart.
Hundreds of people, including U2 band members, attended the mass of the singer, songwriter and harpist, who died peacefully on Monday, aged 73.
An Irish music icon, Ms Brennan was best known as the lead singer of the Grammy and BAFTA-winning family group Clannad.
President Catherine Connolly was represented by Commandant Barry Dolan and Taoiseach Micheál Martin was represented by his Aide de Camp Commandant Joseph Glennon.
Watch: Daniel and Majella O'Donnell perform at funeral of Moya Brennan
Crowds filled shuttle buses from Gaoth Dobhair to Teach Pobail Phádraig Naofa in Mín Uí Bhaoill in the west Donegal Gaeltacht ahead of the funeral mass.
A guard of honour was formed by Scoil Phádraig, Dobhar, Banna Ceoil Dhobhair and the staff of Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar, as the funeral cortege made its way to the church.
As Ms Brennan’s coffin was brought into the church in Mín Uí Bhaoill, 'Peacemaker' by Moya, featuring the voice of her son, Paul, when he was four years old, played through the church speakers.
Symbols of her life were brought to the altar before the mass began. They included a harp, two family photos, a bodhrán - representing Clubbeo - a concert lanyard, a prayer book and a Donegal jersey.
In his homily, Principal Celebrant Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh spoke about the joy Ms Brennan gave to many people in her life.
"On that Monday night last, that Máire died, it seemed as if a sacred silence had descended for a while; the music stood still, and her beautiful harp stood silently in the corner of her room, as though keeping its own quiet vigil of respect and honour.
"It was as if the silence itself seemed to sing Máire into eternity and home to heaven.
"But only for a short while, because in the hours and days that followed, her home became again a place of friendship and love, of kindness and light, a centre of song and deep spirituality, where tears of sadness and tears of joy mingled with memories so lovingly shared by young and old alike," he said.
The eldest of nine children, Moya brought the distinctive musical tradition of the Donegal Gaeltacht to a global audience.
Fr Ó Fearraigh referenced the first word’s Moya’s mother, Baba, said to him when her daughter passed away: "Mheall sí lena glórthaí mé … She enticed me with her voice."
Watch: Moya Brennan's music 'spoke the language of every human heart'
"It was as though a mother, who knows and understands music herself, and at that very moment broken by grief, reached instinctively for the language of song, of music, of meaning, of purpose, because ordinary words were no longer enough," he said.
Fr Ó Fearraigh described Ms Brennan as a woman of "music and melody, a woman of motherhood and mission", referencing her deep faith.
He cited the words of Moya's fellow musician and dear friend, Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh of Altán, who said: "It was always the song for Máire, and the voice, and her beautiful, unique sound. She may be gone, but the voice will remain."
Fr Ó Fearraigh said: "Máire sang for uasal and íséal, Popes and Presidents, and for the poor of this earth and the forgotten, yet her music belonged to all, crossing every boundary, because in a way, it spoke the language of every human heart."
He said her music found a home in every heart that cared to throw open its doors and listen.
"It has been said that, through her voice and her gifted playing of the harp, Máire carried the rugged beauty, that quiet strength, the ancient, timeless mystery, and rich soul of Donegal to audiences right across the world," Fr Ó Fearraigh said.
He said that at the centre of Máire’s life was always the love of family, whom he described as the true joy of her heart.
He said Ms Brennan gave expression not only to melody, but to the deep spirit, beauty, and soul of her people and place.
While Moya performed with many acclaimed artists, she remained a familiar presence in Teach Leo in west Donegal, where she curated open mic nights with new artists.
Mourners heard that Ms Brennan took great pride in championing young artists on the same stage where she found her voice in her family pub, Teach Leo.
Fr Ó Fearraigh said the mass was a celebration of a kind life, well lived, woven with scripture, poetry, and songs chosen by Máire herself.
A recording of 'Perfect Time' sung by Ms Brennan, a song she co-wrote with her husband Tim, was played following communion.
Concelebrants included Parish Priest Emeritus of Gort an Choirce, Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir, Fr Michael McCullagh of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), Curate of Creeslough Parish, Fr John Joe Duffy, Fr Pádraig Ó Baoighill, Parish Priest Emeritus of Gaoth Dobhair and Parish Priest of Dunfanaghy, Fr Martin Doohan, Moya’s second cousin.
Following the funeral mass, the congregation stood and applauded all the musicians who performed during the mass.
Artists included Cór Phádraig, Cór Mhuire, Eoin Ó Fearraigh, Cormac de Barra, Daniel and Majella O’Donnell, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill and Clann Mhic Ruairí.
Ms Brennan was laid to rest in Úrchill Mhuire, Machaire Gathlán.
As her coffin was carried from Teach Phobail Phádraig Naofa, Clann Mhic Ruairí and Cór Phádraig and Cór Mhuire sang Thíos Cois na Trá [Down by the Beach].
The traditional Irish song recorded by Clannad in 1973 fondly remembers past generations and loved ones, while the tide comes in at a seaside graveyard.
"Tá na coiligh ag glaoch 's tá na réalta a' bánú,
"Tá an ghealach ina luí agus ní fada go lá,
"Slán agat anois a sheanreilig bheannaithe,
"Agus ag na daoine a shiúladh liom thart cois na trá."
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