Tributes are being paid to Sinead O'Connor following her death yesterday at the age of 56.
President Michael D Higgins said Ireland has lost one of its greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said her "music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare".
While the Tánaiste Micheál Martin described her as one of Ireland's greatest musical icons.
“Lead me into rest again…”
Sinead O’Connor pictured at Dublin Airport in 1985. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/aQzMtifYEA
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) July 26, 2023
Devastated to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor.
One of our greatest musical icons, and someone deeply loved by the people of Ireland, and beyond.
Our hearts goes out to her children, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 26, 2023
Full statement attached pic.twitter.com/sJtzQ0RbCg
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 26, 2023
Career
She was signed by Ensign Records after a brief spell with a band in the 1980s.
Her breakthrough on the international stage came with a recording of the Prince song, "Nothing Compares 2 U".
She had been touring regularly before the pandemic, but the death of her son Shane last year led to the cancellation of her live shows.
Activism and Personal Life
O'Connor was open about her spiritual journey, activism, political views, as well as her mental health struggles.
In 1999 she was ordained as a priest by the Latin Tridentine Church, while in 2018 she converted to Islam.
She always performed and recorded under her birth name, but also went by the names Magda Davitt and Shuhada' Sadaqat.
The cause of the singer-songwriter's death is not yet known.
Sinead O'Connor is survived by three children.
