Outlander star Caitriona Balfe has said she is “in awe” of “iconic” Sinead O’Connor as the singer marks her return to music in the opening credits of the hit show.
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer cancelled all of her scheduled live shows last summer for her “own health and well-being” following the death of her son Shane in January 2022.
But the Bray native has shared a new version of ‘The Skye Boat Song’, the theme tune for the seventh season of the sci-fi drama series starring Caitriona, which will premiere this summer.
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Caitriona described Sinead as “iconic”, admitting she wanted to “emulate” her growing up.
She said: “There are few women as iconic as @SineadOConnor. I grew up wanting to emulate her, wore docs, shaved my head and wished I had the courage to speak truth to power as she did.
“Now I play another fierce, fearless woman on a show, and the two worlds collide. Thank you Sinead,” she said with a love heart emoji.
Catriona added: “I can’t express enough what a privilege this is. I am in awe of this woman and that she is sharing her talent with us gives me goosebumps and makes me so emotional.
“And if you haven’t seen the amazing doc about her Nothing Compares check it out.
“Go raibh maith agat @SineadOConnor.”
Matthew B Roberts, showrunner and executive producer of Outlander, said: "We are honored to have Sinead O’Connor performing ‘The Skye Boat Song.’ Her rendition is, for me, a reminder of all that’s beautiful about Outlander. She is talented beyond measure. Hers is a voice of the ages — one which pierces heart and soul — and embodies the spirit of the show."
O'Connor is arguably the most recognisable name to have had put her spin on the show's theme tune to date.
In June 2021, following the release of her memoir "Rememberings", Sinead issued a statement retiring from the music industry. She later retracted her statement.
In September 2022, the Kathryn Ferguson documentary "Nothing Compares" was released which told the story of her rise to fame and her career.
O’Connor’s tenth and most recent studio album, ‘I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss’, came out in 2014.
The expanded, 16-episode season seven will serve as the penultimate run of Outlander, with Starz recently confirming that season eight will be the series’ last.
Balfe recently reacted to the news that Outlander would soon end.
On Instagram, the Co Monaghan native said: “Bittersweet but also very exciting that we get to continue this journey for an 8th and final season.
"It’s been a gift beyond my wildest dreams…brought me friendships for life, stretched me as an actor and a person and now we get to give you back one more season and finish it right for all you amazing fans.
"Thank you for being with us on this magical journey."
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