Tributes have poured in for “musical icon” Sinéad O’Connor following her death aged 56.
They said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
After news of her passing broke, many of her contemporaries and fellow musicians paid tribute to the songstress.
Irish band Aslan, who collaborated with O’Connor on Up In Arms in 2001, paid tribute. The band’s lead singer, Christy Dignam, died in June.
A post on the band’s Facebook page read: “Two Legends taken from us so closely together… No words… Rest in Peace Sinead.”
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “really sorry” to hear the news of O’Connor’s death.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare”, he tweeted on Wednesday evening.
“Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music. Ar dheis De go Raibh a hAnam.”
Sinead was the true embodiment of a punk spirit. She did not compromise and that made her life more of a struggle. Hoping that she has found peace x pic.twitter.com/wLAY6ZTI0J
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) July 26, 2023
Irish comedian Dara O’Briain also paid tribute, writing: “Ah s****, Sinead O’Connor has died.
“That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her.”
Boy George simply wrote: “Devastated. Love you, Sinead!”
Taking to Instagram, former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore wrote: “Sinead was the biggest star I ever met. And I was so starstruck I barely spoke.
“In many ways a star that shone so bright it was probably hard to cope having that much talent. The most beautiful voice, face and aura.
“As an Irish woman growing up in the 90s she was everything, showing girls were cool, Irish women could be recognised globally and shaved heads not just for guys – though not a look I could carry off.
“My mam told everyone who visited Sinead lived on our road – she was our royalty. Rest in peace Queen x”.
Rocker Bryan Adams penned: “RIP Sinéad O'Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family.”
The Saturdays singer Una Healy shared a snap of Sinead on Instagram alongside the caption: “Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead. R.I.P.”
This Morning’s Dermot O'Leary also posted a black and white image of O’Connor, and placed a simple green heart and an “x” alongside it.
Tim Burgess, the lead singer of rock band The Charlatans, said O’Connor was the “true embodiment of a punk spirit”.
“She did not compromise and that made her life more of a struggle. Hoping that she has found peace.”
Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh took to her Instagram Story and wrote alongside a youthful photo of O’Connor: “No. All of it. Gutting. A great one has left us.
“I only hope she's gone in peace and love and is with her own loved ones. Thank you for everything you gave us.”
Former Radio 1 DJ and author Annie MacManus: “My heart’s broken for Sinéad’s family. There’ll be so many obituaries now, and long keening essays on her voice and her talent and her rage and her passion and her righteousness.
“I’d love to see a public event, where every person who she ever touched with her music could gather for a few hours to honour her.
“I would like to think it would shut down a city or two. I hope that all the old adages about being ‘at peace’ when one dies can be true for Sinéad O’Connor.”
American rapper and actor Ice T wrote: “Respect to Sinead… She stood for something… Unlike most people… Rest Easy.”
Ireland’s Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) Micheal Martin said O’Connor was one of Ireland’s “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.”
Author Marian Keyes described O’Connor as “amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder”.
Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy..🙏🏽 https://t.co/3nbO3w22zv
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) July 26, 2023
The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/9hvpwxuUyP
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 26, 2023
In a tweet, she wrote: “Oh lord, this is heartbreaking. How she suffered. Poor, poor Sinead. Rest in peace, you amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder.”
Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor said “the world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel”.
“Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend.
“Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure.”
The executive producer of Outlander said working with O’Connor was a “true honour”.
Maril Davis, the executive producer of the historical drama, tweeted: “On behalf of the entire cast (and) crew of Outlander we are deeply saddened about the news of Sinead’s passing.
“She was an incredible talent (and) working with her on this season’s main title song was a true honor.
“Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said: “Ireland has lost one of our most powerful and successful singer, songwriter and female artists.
“A big loss not least to her family & friends, but all her many followers across the world.”
In 2014, O’Connor revealed she had joined the Irish political party and called for then-leader Gerry Adams to stand down.
Irish President Michael D Higgins said: “What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her.
“The way in which she was able to move across the different forms of the arts was a singular achievement, as was the way her voice went around the world and how it was received.”
Lawyer Michael Wildes, who previously represented O’Connor, said: “Sinead enjoyed spending Friday ‘Sabbath’ night dinner at our home revelling in our family, blessings and traditions.
“She would often take a package home making us appreciate her own spiritual journey. We truly enjoyed the time we had with her. This is truly a great loss for the world.”
O’Connor was best known for her single Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990, which went on to hit number one around the world.
The singer, who was outspoken in her social and political views, brought out 10 studio albums in all that made her a global superstar.
Her passing comes just a year after her son Shane passed away aged 17. His body was recovered in the Bray area of Wicklow, Ireland, after he was reported missing.
