KNOWN for her work with one of Ireland's most famous family bands, Moya Brennan's own touring outfit is also very much a family affair.

Joining the former Clannad vocalist on the road across the UK are her children, some long-time collaborators - and even her husband driving the bus.

Elder sister to world renowned singer Enya, the pair were part of County Donegal's most famous musical exports - alongside their brother and uncles - and Clannad went on to tour the globe, picking up a Grammy Award, a BAFTA, and an Ivor Novello Award along the way.

Moya herself has been nominated for two Grammys and won an Emmy Award in her illustrious solo career, which also saw her duet with Bono, as well as work with the likes of The Chieftains, Robert Plant, Paul Brady, and Shane MacGowan.

For fans of Celtic music, the show at The Forum, in Barrow, on Sunday March 11 will be a night to remember.

"I'm not too familiar with the area, but I will have played there before as we've been just about everywhere," says Moya.

"The Lake District is lovely, but it's been ages since I've been there, so I'm looking forward to it."

Moya is the main singer in the band, though everyone shares vocal duties, while her regular collaborator Cormac De Barra performs harp and bodhran, and violinist Lia Wright also features.

Interestingly, the line-up is completed by Moya's daughter, Aisling Jarvis - performing guitar, bouzouki and whistle - and son Paul Jarvis, on keyboards and percussion.

'The kids' - as Moya refers to them - joined her in writing and recording last year's album, Canvas, so of course they were automatic picks to be part of the touring band.

She says: "My children are touring with me, and they wouldn't be doing it if they weren't good enough. They're both fantastic musicians, and they've always been on tour with me really - they've just gone from being in the audience to being on stage with me. It's great fun to have them around.

"We started the album together in 2016 - it was a sad year, losing my dad, but they were a big help and the craic was just brilliant. By the end of it, we'd written nine of the 11 songs on the album together and we'd just had so much fun doing it. It was a good healing process.

"Their influences are different to mine, and I think that shows in the music.

"Aisling has been with my live set-up for a few years now, but Paul was at college so he's only come into it more recently.

"They were always surrounded by music growing up, and I have my own studio at home so they were always messing around with their own music.

"Aisling has her own album out and is now working on her second one, but the whole band is fantastic; Cormac is an amazing, amazing harp player, and we have Lia whose violin is just beautiful."

The Barrow show comes near the start of the three-week run, but more than an arduous tour, it will feel like a family outing.

"The travelling is what sometimes makes it feel like work, but the rest of it is just so enjoyable. We wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun. It's not a big touring unit, and my husband drives the bus and sells the merch, so it does feel like a family band - just like Clannad - and I'm very pleased with how it all sounds.

"Because we've been doing this for so long, and we're always working anyway, it doesn't take a lot of work and rehearsals to slot straight back into it."

Moya's repertoire provides a harmonious concert with a diverse selection of traditional European and Irish songs, some Clannad songs as well as various songs from her solo albums and her film music compositions.

Her effortless vocals and timeless music pay homage not only to her vibrant traditional Irish heritage but also her grasp of contemporary forms.

With a large back catalogue to pick from, there will be plenty for Irish music fans to enjoy - as well as anyone keen to witness some highly skilled performers in action.

Moya adds: "There's so much to cover that we can't please everyone, but people who like that Celtic sound will love what we do, and of course we play the odd hit here and there.

"It's important to stress that even if people don't know the songs so much, if they know the Clannad sound and they like Celtic music, there will be a lot that they're familiar with."

  • Moya Brennan appears at The Forum on Sunday March 11, from 7.30pm, and tickets are available from the venue's box office.

Cumbria Live has a pair of tickets for the concert to give away. Enter using the form below to be in with a chance of winning.