Maria Doyle Kennedy (born 25 September 1964) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and actress. With a singing career that has spanned nearly 30 years and an acting career that has spanned 27, she has established herself as one of Ireland\'s most prolific artists and entertainers. As an actress, she is best known for her extensive television roles as Patsy on Father Ted (1998), Catherine of Aragon on The Tudors (2007–2010), Vera Bates on Downton Abbey (2011), and Siobhán Sadler on Orphan Black (2013–2017). As a musician, she is well known for her world-wide hit folk albums Mütter and Sing. Her new self-titled album was released in 2017.\n', '

Doyle was born in Clontarf, Dublin, before moving with her parents, sister, and brother, Feargal, to Enniscorthy, County Wexford, for her father\'s career as a broker. They eventually settled in Bray, County Wicklow, and she still claims a close, personal connection with the town.\n', '

She began singing early in life and comes from a family that appreciates "party pieces" and the tradition of gathering friends together with singing.\n', '

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