Irish Institute of Music & Song lowers National Flag in honour of Sinéad O’ Connor

The Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan has lowered the National Flag outside their campus this week in honour of the passing of Sinéad O’ Connor.

The Institute has also opened a book of condolences which is now open to the public to allow them to pay tribute to Sinéad and her life.

Yesterday, the entire campus took a break from their Songwriting Retreat to pay homage to Sinéad with a minute’s silence.

Chairman Michael Dawson opened up with a few words reflecting on Sinéad’s life and what she brought to the world.

During this reflection, resident songwriters and course mentors from around the world shared their memories of Sinéad and sang songs in her honour.

CEO, Irish Institute of Music & Song, Michael T Dawson said:

“When I heard of Sinéad’s passing, it was such devastating news, it’s especially poignant as we currently have a songwriting retreat happening on campus and alot of our participants grew up inspired by Sinéad and are now pursuing a career in songwriting because of the direct influence she had on them.”

She was one of a kind, original, brilliant, and a rebel, her music will live on forever”

Rob Wells – Songwriter for Arian Grande and Justin Bieber and Mentor at Irish Institute of Music’s 2023 Songwriting Retreat:

“Sinéad O’Connor came into my life much like everyone else… like a powerful force of nature.

During a time of overproduced and sugar coated pop, her music taught me that it was ok to write and perform songs that were brutally honest and difficult to perform, while keeping the music raw and untouched.

They say that the brightest stars burn the fastest. May she rest in a well-deserved and eternal peace”

Maria Christensen – Songwriter for Jennifer Lopez and Celion Dion and Mentor at Irish Institute of Music’s 2023 Songwriting Retreat:

“I always thought that the marriage of her voice with nothing compares to you was one of the most magical moments in music – it changed my life at the time and the title of that song is how we’ll remember her”

Shridhar Solanki – Songwriter for Dua Lipa – Mentor at Irish Institute of Music’s 2023 Songwriting Retreat:

“Being on Irish soil at the time of Sinéad’s passing is very surreal.

She was a pioneer and a figurehead for Irish music and globally.

Sinead was a trailblazer, someone who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, she did things her way, she really had the courage of her convictions.

I first became aware of Sinéad O’ Connor from her song ‘Nothing Compares to You’, and what an iconic moment, it’s such a special song.”