**Sinead O’Connor dies, aged 56**
Tributes to Irish singer Sinead O’Connor are continuing to pour in, in the wake of the Irish singer’s death aged 56.
Thousands of fans, fellow musicians, and public figures have shared their love for O’Connor since her family confirmed the Dublin-born musician had died.
O’Connor’s longtime friend, singer Bob Geldof, paid tribute to the “Mandinka” singer over the weekend at Ireland’s Cavan Calling festival.
Addressing the crowd, Geldof recalled the nature of his final texts with O’Connor before her death.
“Many, many times Sinead was full of terrible loneliness and a terrible despair,” he said. “She was a very good friend of mine. We were talking right up to a couple of weeks ago. Some of her texts were laden with desperation and despair and some were ecstatically happy. She was like that.”
O’Connor spoke about living with bipolar disorder during a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2007, explaining how she suffered from suicidal thoughts.
“I don’t think I was born with bipolar disorder – I believe it was created as a result of the violence I experienced,” she told Winfrey, referring to the abuse she’d experienced from her mother as a child.
Later, in 2013, O’Connor told fans that she’d been misdiagnosed and that she was instead suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
In the days since Sinead O’Connor’s death, stories of her kindness have surfaced.
One such story comes from Philip Woolcock, who recalled how O’Connor had called his 20-year-old daughter, Louise, out of the blue after learning that she had terminal cancer in 1991.
“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” Woolcock said. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”
O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life,” taking her out to dinners, for drinks, and dancing.
“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing, and singing.”
Irish singer’s 2021 memoir Rememberings has managed to top the best-seller list following her death last week on 26 July.
In Rememberings, O’Connor recounts “her painful tale of growing up in Dublin in a dysfunctional, abusive household,” according to a summary.
She also takes a look at her controversial yet acclaimed career.
Sinead O’Connor will be remembered for her lifelong dedication to women’s rights. The Irish singer was a vocal advocate for women in the music industry and reproductive rights.
The impact of Sinead O’Connor’s music and activism will continue to resonate for years to come. She leaves behind a powerful legacy that will inspire and influence future generations of artists and activists.