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About Eithne Ni Bhraonain...
Born 17 May, 1961, Eithne Ni Bhraonain comes from the village Dobhar
(anglicization is Dore) of the Gweedore region of Ireland.
A native Gaeilge speaker, Eithne is the 6th in line of the 9 Bhraonain
children. In order, they are: Maire, Ciaran, Pol, Deirdre, Leon, Eithne, Bartley,
Olive, and Bridin.
Raised Catholic, Eithne was sent to a strict boarding school at age 11, which she
told Rosie O'Donnell in a television interview that she actually liked. She later clarified
on the show that with living in a large family such as hers, decisions were sometimes made for her
and the boarding experience gave her an independance she had not known previously.
It was in that setting that Eithne developed a love of classical music that influences
her music still.
Eithne left school at age 17 to attend college, and was schooled in
classical music. She entertained the idea of becoming a teacher like her mother, but
later joined in with the family band, Clannad. She toured with them and did some recording
for two years, but ultimately left with former Clannad producer Nicky Ryan
and his wife Roma.
Moving into the Ryans' Dublin home, Eithne began to record on her own with their
encouragement. When she'd recorded 6 or so tracks, Roma Ryan sent the tape to producer David Puttnam, who, upon listening
to these, commissioned Eithne to score the 1985 film "The Frog Prince," released
in the States as "The French Lesson."
Though she indeed scored the film, Eithne's work was neither arranged nor
actually performed by her. In fact, the two songs actually performed by Eithne, "Dreams"
and "The Frog Prince," (the latter with lyrics by Roma Ryan)were cut from the film itself.
Both tracks, however, are available on "The Frog Prince" soundtrack.
Eithne's next big break came in 1986 when the BBC assigned her to score,
arrange, and perform for the 6-part documentary "The Celts," which she accomplished most beautifully.
(It has been reported that the cameramen listened to the soundtracks as they filmed.) The album,
which was titled "Enya" (proposed by Eithne to avoid pronunciation problems of her name
by non-Gaeilge speaker) was released as "The Celts" with new liner notes and colour
photographs.
Upon hearing that same soundtrack in 1987, Warner UK's Rob Dickins (referred to
in Orinoco Flow and the 'thanks' portion of Watermark's liner notes)signed Eithne
on full-time to Warner. And so started a most promising career with her
international smash Orinoco Flow and subsequent albums.
Now with homes in Dublin and London, Eithne has sold over 22 million albums,
which puts her only second to U2 in Irish musicians.
As for the rest of the Bhraonain children; Maire, Ciaran and Pol, along with their
twin uncles Noel and Padraig founded the group Clannad with Eithne appearing
on 2 albums: Crann Ull (not credited) and Fuaim (Eithne performed lead vocals on tracks An Tull
and Buairneadh An Phosta). With the absence of sister Eithne in 1982(?), sisters
Deridre, Olive and Bridin toured with Clannad as background vocalists. Of the three,
only Bridin remains touring. As for Clannad itself, the group enjoys worldwide
popularity and Maire has embarked on a successful solo career.
All information taken from transcripts and liner notes,
some information gathered from other website. No infringement is intended.
Email: tyrose@hotmail.com
