Noel (Ó Dúgáin) Duggan
Born: January 23rd, 1941
Died: October 15th, 2022
Noel Duggan (known locally as Ó Dúgáin), founding member of Clannad, was a musician, songwriter and singer whose home place was stitched deeply within his musical identity. A native of Gweedore, he and his twin brother Pádraig (who died in 2016) took in their stride the journey that saw them trace a path from playing with the local fife band and winning Slógadh competitions to performing on a world stage and bringing what became known as a Celtic sound to a global audience.
Toxic algae are once again turning Lough Neagh green. The response is as stagnant as the water
I’m finally ready to ditch my car. Here’s how I’ll manage it
Joe Biden has ended the agony. The Democrats now have a fighting chance to save the American republic
Being in the US right now is living in the pages of a burning history book
Noel and Pádraig were joined by their niece, Moya Brennan and nephews, Ciarán and Pól to found the band, Clannad (the name a play on Clann, or family and ‘as Dore’, from Dore) in 1970. Just three years separate Noel and Pádraig from Moya, so they were more like siblings than uncles and niece. Clannad melded traditional Irish songs with a keen pop sensibility and an innate affinity for close and intricate harmonies. Noel had a particular liking for The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and The Carpenters while his niece, Moya favoured The Rolling Stones, as was the fashion in rock n roll rivalry stakes. In truth they were all utterly enamoured of so many bands, but the Beatles, the Beach Boys and The Mamas and The Papas resonated deeply with the Clannad’s evocative close harmony singing.
Noel and Pádraig were the youngest of six children born to Aodh “Gog” Duggan a primary schoolteacher, and his wife, Máire (formerly Nic Giolla Easpaic). He attended Dore National School and Ard Scoil Mhuire Secondary School in Gweedore. Both boys qualified as radio officers in 1971 before the lure of music drew them away from a life on the sea.
Noel and Pádraig found their first stage in Amharclann Gweedore, founded by their father, Aodh. This was where they performed Irish versions of pop songs at local pantomimes. When Leo Brennan opened his pub in 1968, it provided Noel and Pádraig, along with Moya, Pól and Ciarán Brennan with a stage on which they performed many covers of contemporary pop songs, as well as highly inventive interpretations of traditional songs.
Clannad went fully professional in 1975 and toured extensively initially in Germany and later, worldwide. In 1973, it was Noel’s highly imaginative guitar arrangements that underpinned one of their finest early interpretations, Níl sé'n lá, on the band’s eponymous album.
Noel was single, but his closeness with Pádraig was the source of much satisfaction for the twins, and a source of mirth for others down through the years. On the occasion of Pádraig’s marriage to Jan Schweppe in Rome in the mid-1980s, Noel attended not only their small wedding, but accompanied the happy couple on their honeymoon to Sorrento. On another occasion, Noel was at a beach with Pádraig and Jan, and decided to go for a swim. He was a strong swimmer. After some time had passed, Jan became anxious that Noel wasn’t anywhere visible in the sea, and asked Pádraig if they should be getting worried. Pádraig’s nonchalant response was that there was no need to worry, that he, Pádraig would know if something was amiss, such was the intimacy of their connection. Right up to the time of Pádraig’s passing, the men were so close that their lives and personalities were inextricably intertwined.
Clannad achieved enormous success with the theme from Harry’s Game in 1982, with Noel on guitar and singing background harmonies. The band developed a sound founded on the close harmonies of the family, Moya’s harp and a subtle electronic backdrop to enhance a sense of Celtic mysticism in their music. They achieved further success in 1984 with the soundtrack to the TV series, Robin of Sherwood, which won a BAFTA for best soundtrack. The band won a Grammy in 1998, and one of Noel’s greatest thrills was to meet Emmylou Harris at the awards ceremony that year.
Noel had a great sense of humour, and thought well of everyone. He loved encountering Irish fans post-gig, in all corners of the world. He relished the post-gig banter, intrigued to hear of the minutiae of fans’ own lives — and none were more intriguing than those who were from Donegal. He enjoyed a few drinks, and had a real fondness for storytelling, and for listening to others’ stories in the pub. He thoroughly enjoyed the band’s recent tour of Europe, USA and Canada, but was glad to get off the road too.
Noel lived for a time in Spain as Clannad’s touring schedule eased, but returned to his native Donegal in recent years, living in Loughanure with his beloved cocker spaniel, Rainbow. He readily settled into life in the small community. He was responsible for keeping the Dore fife band together, despite the passing of many founding members. The band performed for the final time at Noel’s graveside. His song, Fanann na Chnoic, which was recorded with Pádraig on their 2005 debut album, Rubicon, was sung at his funeral by the three remaining members of Clannad and was a fitting reflection on his life and his love of home: ‘Imíonn na daoine ach fanann na chnoic’ (people depart but the hills remain).
Noel Duggan died on October 15th, 2022. He is survived by his sister, Máire “Baba” Brennan, brothers Eoin and Columba, his niece, Moya, nephews, Pól and Ciarán and the extended Clannad family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Aodh, mother, Máire, sister, Bríd, his twin brother, Pádraig and brothers, Seamus and Beartlaí.