Nothing Compared to You, Sinead: Ireland prepares to say goodbye to Sinead O’Connor with thousands of fans set to line streets as singer is laid to rest in her hometown – and hillside tribute is unveiled in her memory
- Fans have been asked to stand along Bray seafront in County Wicklow
Fans are expected to line an Irish coastal road to bid farewell to Sinead O’Connor ahead of her funeral today.
The acclaimed singer’s family have asked people who wish to say a ‘last goodbye’ to stand along Bray seafront in Co Wicklow as the cortege passes by before a private burial.
The procession is expected to start at 10.30am at the Harbour Bar end of the Strand Road and will continue past by her former home, Montebello, where she lived for 15 years.
Since her death on July 26, people have been leaving flowers and paying their respects at the house, which the singer sold in 2021 and which now lies empty.
‘Sinead loved living in Bray and the people in it,’ a statement issued by her family said.
Irish Grammy-winning singer Sinead O’Connor was found unresponsive by police at her south-east London home, aged 56
The acclaimed singer’s family have asked people who wish to say a ‘last goodbye’ to stand along Bray seafront in Co Wicklow as the cortege passes by before a private burial
‘With this procession, her family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love for her from the people of Co Wicklow and beyond, since she left last week to go to another place.’
The Irish Grammy-winning singer was found unresponsive by police at her south-east London home, aged 56.
A host of tributes have flooded in from fans and famous artists across the world in response to her death, including Russell Crowe, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Geldof.
Several gatherings were held in the days since O’Connor’s death in Dublin, Belfast and London, where members of the public paid tribute to her legacy as a musician and activist.
O’Connor, who was born in Dublin in December 1966, released her first album The Lion And The Cobra in 1987.
Her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, followed in 1990, which contained the hit single Nothing Compares 2 U, which saw O’Connor top the charts in countries around the world.
The track earned her multiple Grammy Award nominations including for the prestigious record of the year category, as well as best female pop vocal performance and best music video.
In 1991, she was named artist of the year by Rolling Stone magazine and took home the Brit Award for international female solo artist.
Late singer Sinead O’Connor pictured outside her home of 15 years in county Wicklow
A giant installation honouring the late musician and activist Sinéad O’Connor was unveiled on Bray Head, Co Wicklow, Ireland on Sunday
A heartfelt tribute left to the beloved Irish singer outside her former home
She released a further eight studio albums, the latest being 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss.
In 2018, O’Connor announced that she had converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat.
The cleric who presided over her conversion to Islam Umar Al-Qadri, the chief Imam of Ireland, yesterday posted a message on his Facebook page, describing her as a ‘beacon of truth and exemplar of Islam’s beautiful guideance.’
He said: ‘She has returned to her creator. Her conversion to Islam bore witness to the transcendent power of faith, reaching across cultural divides, tearing down walls of misunderstanding and prejudice.
‘Sister Shuhada’s journey underlined that embracing Islam is not merely a change of name or attire, but a quest for personal truth, acceptance of one’s imperfections, and submission to the Divine.
‘This path, filled with both petals and thorns, is one we must tread with empathy and humility.
Imam Al-Qadri, who said he had been Sinead’s ‘spiritual guide’, added: ‘May God envelope our sister Shuhada in his Loving Mercy, forgive her shortcomings and grant her a place in the highest of heavens.
‘May He comfort her loved ones in this difficult time, and guide us all to live lives reflecting the true essence of Islam.’
Fan Karen Kehoe (pictured) with the floral wreath she designed outside Sinead O’Connor’s former home in Bray, Co. Wicklow
A photo of Sinead O’Connor at the Mansion House in Dublin as a book of condolence has been opened following her death
He appealed for Muslims to hold prayers at 11am tomorrow to coincide with her private burial.
‘We can express our respect, love, and solidarity for our departed sister, mirroring the values she tirelessly championed.’
On Sunday, a tribute to Sinead was unveiled on Bray Head in northern County Wicklow, Ireland, close to where she lived.
Just a short distance from Sinead’s home on Strand Road, a sign reading ‘ÉIRE SINÉAD,’ along with a white heart was placed close to the World War Two ‘ÉIRE’ landmark.
The letters of the moving sign are 30ft tall each and the tribute was the brainchild of bosses of The Tenth Man, in association with mural specialists, Mack Signs.
In 2018, O’Connor announced that she had converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat
Executive creative director of Tenth Man, Richard Seabrooke said: ‘So much has been said about Sinéad since her recent passing, I’m not sure what is left to say.
‘We just wanted to take the opportunity to mark the moment with a bold statement that symbolises what she meant to this little country of ours.’
Following her death, her music management company 67 Management said she had been finishing a new album, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering ‘opportunities’ around a movie of her book.
O’Connor’s death is not being treated as suspicious by authorities.
A London coroner did not find a medical cause of death and suggested that the post-mortem examination results may take several weeks.
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