ACCLAIMED Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor will be remembered as someone whose talent was "unmatched and beyond compare" following her death at the age of 56.
The Dublin star, who shot to fame in the 1980s and went on to release 10 studio albums, died on Wednesday, her family confirmed. She is survived by three children.
The Nothing Compares to You singer's death comes after her 17-year-old son Shane died in January of last year.
A statement from the artist's family on Wednesday evening 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."
Born in Glenageary in Co Dublin in 1966, O'Connor became one of the most famous Irish music artists in the world following the release of her 1987 debut album The Lion and the Cobra, and three years later the release of her cover of Nothing Compares 2 U.
Originally penned by Prince, O'Connor's heart-wrenching version of the track sold millions of copies across the globe, and was named the world's number one song of 1990 at the Billboard Music Awards.
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The star was also one of the most prominent early figures to speak out against the abuse of children in Ireland by Catholic clergy, and in 1992 caused controversy by ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul II during a performance on US TV show Saturday Night Live.
In 2018, O’Connor converted to Islam, and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
In recent years, the singer had openly discussed her battles with mental health.
In a recent social media post, O’Connor referred to the loss of her son Shane, who took his own life after leaving Tallaght Hospital.
“Been living as undead night creature since,” she wrote of his death.
“He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.”
Among those to pay tribute to the singer on Wednesday was Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare," he said in a tweet.
"Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music. Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said she was “one of our greatest musical icons, and someone deeply loved by the people of Ireland, and beyond”.
Legendary Belfast music figure and DJ Terri Hooley told the Irish News: "Sinead had one of the most amazing careers in music, and her death will be a very sad loss to so many. She will rightly be remembered as an icon.”
The singer’s career is the focus of an award-winning documentary by Belfast director Kathryn Ferguson, titled Nothing Compares.
Released last year to critical acclaim, the film arrives on Sky and streaming service Now TV this week.
