Latest news with #Clannad
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Influential ‘80s singer makes first public appearance in 8 years
Iconic Irish singer Enya spends most of her time in her massive £98 million ($131 million) Victorian castle near Dublin. However, the 'Only Time' singer ditched her mostly reclusive lifestyle for a rare public appearance — the first in eight years. Enya, 64, was spotted when she attended a wedding at Drumhalla House in Donegal, Ireland on May 16, according to a Facebook post from the Donegal Dancers. 'What a honour it was to perform at Sean and David's wedding last night in @drumhallahouse," the post read. 'There may be a couple familiar faces in the first pic,' it read. 'Some of you may know them as the World Famous Clannad & ENYA. What a privilege to have them in the crowd last night.' Enya was last seen in public when she attended the Grammy Awards in 2017, The Sun reported. Reddit fans expressed their excitement to see the singer in public after so long. 'She looks great after another decade! And her outfit, of course, is totally Enya coded,' one user commented. Another user said the singer 'looks so lovely here,' but added, 'girl drop the mixtape already omg it's been 10 years.' With more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, Enya is the best-selling Irish solo artist and second-best-selling music act from Ireland overall behind rock band U2. After achieving initial success in her home country, Enya became a worldwide sensation through her international hit single 'Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)' off her 1988 sophomore album 'Watermark.' The vocalist released the multi-million-selling albums 'Shepherd Moons,' 'The Memory of Trees,' and 'A Day Without Rain' in the following decade. The latter project was supported by its lead single 'Only Time,' which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001. Enya's subsequent releases included 'Amarantine' in 2005, 'And Winter Came...' in 2008 and 'Dark Sky Island' in 2015. The singer has not put out her own music ever since. Taylor Swift buys back masters of first six albums, teases re-recorded albums '90s rock band members have been 'sitting on' secret album for 12 years Shakira, Jason Aldean's Fenway shows canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances' Popular 2000s hip-hop duo to release first new album in 15 years '80s music icon says she went to Hawaii 'to die' while battling colon cancer Read the original article on MassLive.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Enya seen for the first time in 8 years after reclusive life in Victorian castle
Enya has been spotted for the first time in years. The Only Time hitmaker, 64, is rarely seen out and about, having floated onto the world's stage in the 1980s with her ethereal, unique sound on hits including Orinoco Flow and Evening Falls. Since, she's clocked up four Grammy Awards, countless nominations and an Oscars shortlist for her soundtrack classic May It Be, from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The vocalist, famed for her haunting choir-like melodies, is the second most successful Irish artist of all time after U2, having sold over 80million albums, and she's got a reported £98m fortune. Fans have been wondering where Enya is, as her last music drop was ten years ago in her 2015 eighth studio album, Dark Sky Island. She's also not been seen publicly since the Grammys in 2017, so this was a reassuring moment for fans, as she looked the picture of health, dressed up for a wedding at Drumhalla House in Donegal on May 16. The Only Time hitmaker wore a gorgeous black and white lacey dress, with a shimmering necklace and short haircut as she posed with fellow attendees. The Irish singer's reclusive lifestyle has been documented over the years, as she reportedly spends much time in her 19th century castle, located just south of Dublin, by the sea. Having bought Manderley Castle – named after the house in her favourite book, Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca – in 1997 for €3.8m (£2.5m), Enya is thought to enjoy the sprawling space with, at one time, up to a dozen cats. In a 2015 interview while talking about her new music, Enya touched on her love life. 'I am single, yes,' she told The Independent. 'But as the song suggests, there have been… relationships. It's quite hard to have someone accept that – well, not that they are second to the music, but that I do need a certain amount of space for it. 'And even though the person will understand that at the beginning, there is something like jealousy towards the music after a while.' There was a seven-year gap between her last two albums, and Enya said at the time that she needed the pause. Alongside her Irish bolthole, Enya bought a house in the south of France and travelled in this time, visiting family. The rest of her days, the publication report, are spent in Manderley Castle, not far from Bono's place. During her time there Enya has fortified the castle walls sky-high, having experienced a number of disturbing run-ins with stalkers, which she told the outlet has 'been traumatic'. Enya was born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin in Ireland in 1961, one of nine children. As a teenager Enya enjoyed a brief time with her family's band Clannad, before going it alone and collaborating with producer Nicky Ryan and his poet wife Roma Ryan, who she continued to work with all the way to her latest album. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Where is Enya now? Inside the star's quiet castle life complete with 12 cats
The Irish singer has always sidestepped the limelight, and now lives in a castle with her cats and £98 million fortune. Irish icon Enya now lives a lush reclusive life with her cats- despite having an asteroid and a fish species named in her honour. The songstress has sold a staggering 75 million albums without ever seeking the limelight or indulging in the trappings of fame, including never having toured. The star now resides with her 12 feline companions in her Victorian stronghold near Dublin, which is not far from Bono's abode. Born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, she hails from a musically abundant family in Gweedore, County Donegal, where she was immersed in a world of siblings, strings, and traditional harmonies, yet yearned for solitude, reports the Irish Mirror. After a brief stint with Clannad, her family's band, during her teenage years, Enya ventured out on her own, joining forces with producer Nicky Ryan and his wife Roma in a creative, non-romantic partnership. This trio dedicated years to meticulously sculpting their unique sound in near seclusion, producing tracks with up to hundreds of vocal layers. Throughout her career, Enya has lent her voice to songs in English, Gaelic, French, Latin, Tolkien's Sindarin and Quenya, and even a language of her own creation, Loxian. The 1988 launch of 'Watermark' marked a turning point, as 'Orinoco Flow' swept through the Top 40 with its whimsy and uniqueness - surprisingly propelling album sales to 11 million. By the start of the new millennium, Enya was celebrated as one of the most successful female solo artists internationally. Her track 'Only Time', used by CNN as an evocative backdrop to the chilling reports of the 9/11 attacks, entwined her music with a universal sense of mourning. The song gained newfound popularity after being reissued for charitable reasons, earning Enya a loyal following in the United States. Nonetheless, despite a global fanbase that spans continents, Enya has remarkably never taken the plunge into touring. In 1997, Enya invested £2.5 million into the 19th-century castle Manderley, transforming it with renovations, substantial security measures, and then seemingly disappearing from the public eye within its walls. A local told The Sun: "You wouldn't even know there was anyone there most of the time." Enya's view on romance is that her work takes precedence, admitting: "After a bad day in the studio I'm dark and difficult to be with. I want and need to be on my own. What sort of man would be able to adapt?" Her devotion lies elsewhere, with her saying: "My affairs are with melody and words and beautiful sounds. People think it sounds sad," before affirming, "but believe me, I'm happy. I am my music." Enya's life has seen disturbing incidences of stalker obsession, including a 1996 episode where an Italian man tracked her for over a year and turned up at her parent's pub in Donegal sporting a pendant with her image. When confronted, the situation escalated as he wounded himself with a knife. And if that wasn't horrifying enough, in 2005 another intruder invaded her castle, detaining a housemaid as he scoured the premises for Enya – who had taken refuge in a safe room. Following these events, Enya has stepped back from fan meet-and-greets and avoids public outings. Within the walls of her castle, she is known to live with her cats. at one stage she was the companion to 12 cats. Her days are often spent in solitude, except for the company of the Ryan couple, her long-standing musical collaborators. Even family visits are rare, with her own uncle saying: "She lives like a queen. She is a recluse." Enya boasts four Grammy wins, an Oscar nomination for her part in 'The Lord of the Rings' soundtrack, and her music continues to influence new generations, echoing in tracks by The Fugees ('Ready or Not') and recently lending her 1987 melody 'Boadicea' to Metro Boomin and The Weeknd's 2022 chart-topper 'Creepin''. Moreover, Enya was actively involved in 'Creepin''s creation, asserting her vision in the naming process by dismissing titles like 'IDWK', 'Undecided', 'Wanna Let You Know', and others, ultimately endorsing what Metro Boomin considers "the best name for it". Enya's legacy is truly unique. She holds the title of the best-selling Irish solo artist of all time, has a minor planet - 6433 Enya - named after her, a species of fish in the Orinoco River was dubbed Leporinus enyae in her honour, and she boasts two honorary doctorates. All this while maintaining her privacy and tranquillity. "I don't like anybody else's opinion" she once said. "It's not a hanging offence not wanting to go to nightclubs. What happened to choice?". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Superstar Enya's reclusive life in castle with 12 cats and £98million fortune
Enya is one of the most successful female solo artists of all time, but the Irish singer has shunned the limelight for decades - and for good reason - as she lives in a castle with her cats Enya, the reclusive queen of celestial melodies, lives a life shrouded in mystery behind the fortified gates of her castle, despite having an asteroid and a fish species named in her honour. The enigmatic songstress, known for her haunting soundscapes and intricate vocal harmonies, has sold a staggering 75 million albums without ever seeking the limelight or indulging in the trappings of fame. She's never hit the road for a tour, eschewed marriage, and remained indifferent to the allure of pop stardom. Her most down-to-earth moment might just be her confession to The Sun in 2016: "I'm a big fan of Strictly. I don't know if I could do the show, although I would adore to learn the Argentine tango". Beyond that rare glimpse into her personal tastes, Enya maintains an aura of otherworldliness, residing with her feline companions in her Victorian stronghold near Dublin, not far from Bono's abode. Born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, she hails from a musically abundant family in Gweedore, County Donegal, where she was immersed in a world of siblings, strings, and traditional harmonies, yet yearned for solitude, reports the Irish Mirror. After a brief stint with Clannad, her family's band, during her teenage years, Enya ventured out on her own, joining forces with producer Nicky Ryan and his wife Roma in a creative, non-romantic partnership. This trio dedicated years to meticulously sculpting their unique sound in near seclusion, producing tracks with up to hundreds of vocal layers. Throughout her career, Enya has lent her voice to songs in English, Gaelic, French, Latin, Tolkien's Sindarin and Quenya, and even a language of her own creation, Loxian. The 1988 launch of 'Watermark' marked a turning point, as 'Orinoco Flow' swept through the Top 40 with its whimsy and uniqueness - surprisingly propelling album sales to 11 million. By the start of the new millennium, Enya was celebrated as one of the most successful female solo artists internationally. Her track 'Only Time', used by CNN as an evocative backdrop to the chilling reports of the 9/11 attacks, entwined her music with a universal sense of mourning. The song gained newfound popularity after being reissued for charitable reasons, earning Enya a loyal following in the United States. Nonetheless, despite a global fanbase that spans continents, Enya has remarkably never taken the plunge into touring. In 1997, Enya invested £2.5 million into the 19th-century castle Manderley, transforming it with renovations, substantial security measures, and then seemingly disappearing from the public eye within its walls. A local told The Sun: "You wouldn't even know there was anyone there most of the time." Enya's view on romance is that her work takes precedence, admitting: "After a bad day in the studio I'm dark and difficult to be with. I want and need to be on my own. What sort of man would be able to adapt?" Her devotion lies elsewhere, with her saying: "My affairs are with melody and words and beautiful sounds. People think it sounds sad," before affirming, "but believe me, I'm happy. I am my music." Enya's life has seen disturbing incidences of stalker obsession, including a 1996 episode where an Italian man tracked her for over a year and turned up at her parent's pub in Donegal sporting a pendant with her image. When confronted, the situation escalated as he wounded himself with a knife. And if that wasn't horrifying enough, in 2005 another intruder invaded her castle, detaining a housemaid as he scoured the premises for Enya – who had taken refuge in a safe room. Following these events, Enya has stepped back from fan meet-and-greets and avoids public outings. Within the walls of her castle, she is known to live with her cats. at one stage she was the companion to 12 cats. Her days are often spent in solitude, except for the company of the Ryan couple, her long-standing musical collaborators. Even family visits are rare, with her own uncle saying: "She lives like a queen. She is a recluse." Yet, such seclusion hasn't dimmed her star - Enya boasts four Grammy wins, an Oscar nomination for her part in 'The Lord of the Rings' soundtrack, and her music continues to influence new generations, echoing in tracks by The Fugees ('Ready or Not') and recently lending her 1987 melody 'Boadicea' to Metro Boomin and The Weeknd's 2022 chart-topper 'Creepin''. Moreover, Enya was actively involved in 'Creepin''s creation, asserting her vision in the naming process by dismissing titles like 'IDWK', 'Undecided', 'Wanna Let You Know', and others, ultimately endorsing what Metro Boomin considers "the best name for it". The enigma that is Enya continues to baffle even music industry insiders, who confess they know little about her personal life and have had to tailor launch events to suit her preferences - she's more inclined towards large gatherings than one-on-one interviews. Yet, her allure persists. Since 2019, her social media platforms have been buzzing with updates, remastered videos, vinyl reissues and digital festivities. Her official YouTube channel has discreetly received a 4K upgrade, and her ethereal music continues to captivate new audiences. Enya's legacy is truly unique. She holds the title of the best-selling Irish solo artist of all time, has a minor planet - 6433 Enya - named after her, a species of fish in the Orinoco River was dubbed Leporinus enyae in her honour, and she boasts two honorary doctorates. All this while maintaining her privacy and tranquillity. "I don't like anybody else's opinion" she once said. "It's not a hanging offence not wanting to go to nightclubs. What happened to choice?".
Irish Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Multi-millionaire superstar Enya's recluse life in castle with cats
She lives in a castle with fortified gates and security cameras, has an asteroid and a species of fish named after her, and yet somehow, nobody really knows her. Enya, the queen of ethereal soundscapes and vocal layering, has sold more than 75 million albums but has barely been seen in public in over a decade. She's never toured, never married, and never cared about flaunting her wealth or becoming a popstar. Her most relatable moment came in a quote attributed to her by The Sun in 2016: "I'm a big fan of Strictly. I don't know if I could do the show, although I would adore to learn the Argentine tango". Apart from that lapse, Enya keeps her ethereal and unreachable persona intact and lives alone with a dozen cats inside her Victorian castle just outside Dublin, a stone's throw from Bono's estate. Her full name is Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, born into a huge musical family in Gweedore, County Donegal. She grew up surrounded by siblings, fiddles, and folk harmonies, but craved quiet. After briefly joining her family's band Clannad in her teens, she broke away and moved in with producer Nicky Ryan and his wife Roma - not romantically, but musically. Together, the trio would spend decades crafting soundscapes in almost complete isolation, perfecting songs that sometimes included over hundreds of vocal layers. Over the years, she has sung in English, Gaelic, French, Latin, Tolkien's Sindarin and Quenya, and her own (called Loxian). It was the 1988 release of Watermark that changed everything. 'Orinoco Flow' was whimsical, strange, and totally unlike anything else in the Top 40, and yet the album sold 11 million copies. As a result, by the early 2000s, she was already one of the world's most successful female solo artists. Then, CNN used her track 'Only Time' as the haunting background music to the 9/11 tragedy in New York. Suddenly, Enya's work became synonymous with collective grief, and the track was re-released as a charity single and found a second life - which gave her a devoted American fanbase. Although, despite having fans in most parts of the globe, Enya, to this day, has never embarked on a solo tour. The singer bought her 19th-century castle, Manderley in 1997 for £2.5 million, and, according to sources, renovated it, installed heavy security, and vanished inside. A local said to the Sun: 'You wouldn't even know there was anyone there most of the time.' Enya has also never been one for long-term romance, explaining: 'After a bad day in the studio I'm dark and difficult to be with. I want and need to be on my own. What sort of man would be able to adapt?' Instead, she says, 'My affairs are with melody and words and beautiful sounds. People think it sounds sad,' she said, 'but believe me, I'm happy. I am my music.' That hasn't stopped others from becoming dangerously obsessed. In 1996, an Italian stalker followed her for more than a year, even showing up at her parents' pub in Donegal wearing her picture around his neck. When he was asked to leave, he stabbed himself. As if that instance wasn't traumatic enough, in 2005, a man broke into her castle and tied up a maid while searching for her - Enya had locked herself in a panic room. Since then, she's avoided fan signings and shuns most public appearances. Inside her castle, she lives with cats - which, at one point, she reportedly had 12 of. She rarely entertains guests and spends most of her time alone, save for the Ryan couple, who still work with her musically. Her own uncle admitted to not seeing her, saying: 'She lives like a queen. She is a recluse.' Such a lifestyle has never impacted her success, however. Enya won four Grammys, received an Oscar nomination for her contribution to The Lord of the Rings, and has been sampled by artists including The Fugees ('Ready or Not') and most recently, Metro Boomin and The Weeknd for 'Creepin', a major 2022 hit built around her 1987 humming track 'Boadicea'. And Enya didn't just approve the sample - she reportedly helped choose the song's title, rejecting options 'IDWK', 'Undecided', 'Wanna Let You Know' and more, in favour of the one they ended up with, which was "the best name for it', according to rapper Metro Boomin. If this all sounds a bit unreal, it's a wonder to music industry professionals too. who have admitted to not knowing anything about her personal life, and adjusting launch events with her to accommodate her needs - she'd much rather have big groups than individual interviews, for example. Yet she continues to fascinate: since 2019, her social media pages have come alive with updates, remastered videos, vinyl reissues and digital celebrations. Her official YouTube channel quietly underwent a 4K update, and her mystic-sounding music keeps pulling in new generations. Enya's legacy is one of a kind. She's the best-selling Irish solo artist of all time, a minor planet - 6433 Enya - was named in her honour, A fish species in the Orinoco River was christened Leporinus enyae, and she holds two honorary doctorates. All while not compromising her privacy or peace. 'I don't like anybody else's opinion' she once said. 'It's not a hanging offence not wanting to go to nightclubs. What happened to choice?'
