Tributes have been pouring in for Sinéad O’Connor, who passed away on Wednesday.
President Michael D Higgins lead the tributes to the singer, who shot to fame in 1990 with her global hit Nothing Compares 2 U, saying that “one couldn’t but always be struck by the depth of her fearless commitment to the important issues which she brought to public attention, no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been.”
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said “her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched.”
Figures from the world of music have been paying tribute to her, with R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe saying there were “no words” to describe the loss.
Dublin band Aslan posted on their Facebook page that there were “two legends taken from us so closely together,” in reference to their own frontman Christy Dignam passing away in June.
Victoria Mary Clarke, wife of The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, thanked O’Connor for her “love and friendship”.
“We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you Sinéad, we pray that you are at peace now with your beautiful boy,” in reference to her 17-year-old son Shane, who died last year.
Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan said O’Connor was “fiercely honest and sweet and funny.”
“She was talented in ways I’m not sure she completely understood, but Sinéad stands alone as a figure from our generation who always true to the piercing voice within and without.”
Alanis Morissette said that O’Connor was “an inspiration to many and to me,” saying “her questioning of societal norms deeply influenced culture’s appreciation of female complexity.”
“Her ability to vulnerably dwell on the small part of the bell-shaped curve was thought-provoking, stirring and inspiring.”
Oscar winner Russell Crowe shared a story about meeting O’Connor in Dublin in 2022, saying “I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine.”
“What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad.”
UFC fighter Conor McGregor also lamented her passing, saying “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. Sinéad’s music will live on and continue to inspire.”
O’Connor’s tendency to speak her mind won her respect outside and inside the music world, with rapper Ice-T tweeting “respect to Sinéad, she stood for something, unlike most people” and Public Enemy rapper Chuck D saying that Ó’Connor “always brought the noise.”
Comedian Dara Ó Briain said he hoped that O’Connor “realised how much love there was for her,” and author Marian Keyes described her as an “amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder.”