SINEAD O'Connor told how "losing a kid isn't good for the soul" in a heartbreaking final video to fans posted earlier this month.
The Nothing Compares 2 U icon's family yesterday said they were "devastated" at the death of their "beloved Sinead".
Her heartbroken family confirmed: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead.
"Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Sinead posted a clip to her Twitter account on July 9 - her final video message to fans - after some of her followers questioned if the page belonged to the star.
R&B star Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies aged 74
She wrote: "Hey, some folks been asking I make video to prove identity..
"Now, I’ve been up all night listening to Hindu Aestheticism books on YouTube.
"And Madonna’s stylist told me to eat a giant d**k just now when I asked if she/he/they would rush over.. so deal with it ; )."
The star showed fans her apartment and said she planned to write more songs with her new guitar.
She also told how she was struggling with the loss of her son Shane, 17, who died 18 months ago.
Sinead said in the clip: "You don't believe it is my account, it is my account but fret not I'm going to be a good girl.
"I'm trying to film a f*****g video on the bloody phone...4k f*****g HD, f*****g what the hell is it talking about?
"I think we're in HD, I look like shit either way, which is why I didn't want to make a video but you know the way your kid unfortunately passing away isn't good for one's body or soul to be fair.
"But anyway look, let's not dwell on bad. Anyway, hi guys. Let's see can I flip the camera around there, there's a bunch of flowers my friend gave me today in my nice flat.
"There's my new Martin Johnny f*****g Cash guitar I am going to write some tunes on and yeah that's all I can show you because the place is a shit hole but there you go, it's this crazy witch."
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
She added: "Oh yeah I've got Vaseline all over my face too, not for any good reason. Not for any beautiful sexual reason, I mean.
"But yeah, it's good for your skin but didn't I forget I put it on and then I said 'ah f**k it'.
"Anyway, there you go. Hope you're all happy now."
'UNMATCHED'
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Sinead's talent was "unmatched and beyond compare".
The Fine Gael leader said: "Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor.
"Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare.
"Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music. Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam."
Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: "Devastated to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor.
One of our greatest musical icons, and someone deeply loved by the people of Ireland, and beyond.
"Our hearts goes out to her children, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her."
'BEAUTIFUL VOICE'
President Michael D Higgins said: "May I send my deepest condolences to Sinead O’Connor’s father John, the members of her family and to all those with whom she shared her life.
"My first reaction on hearing the news of Sinead’s loss was to remember her extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice.
"What was striking in all of the recordings she made and in all of her appearances was the authenticity of the performance, while her commitment to the delivery of the song and its meaning was total.
"To those of us who had the privilege of knowing her, 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.
"What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her."
He added: "May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”
'AWFUL NEWS'
Former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy said on Instagram: "Like everyone, I'm devastated by the awful news about Sinead.
"We spoke days ago and she was kind, powerful, passionate, determined and decent as ever.
"This photo is from the night I went with my mum to see her in Vicar St.
"Rest in peace Sinead, you were ahead of your time and deserve whatever peace comes your way."
Singer-songwriter Mundy said recently deceased Aslan star Christy Dignam "will be there to welcome" Sinead.
He wrote: "I’m so so sorry to hear about Sinead’s Passing. She was our Musical Queen of Hearts.
"I had the honour of singing with her at the Olympia years ago. We sang ‘waiting in vain’ by Bob Marley as a duet.
"She even came to my flat to rehearse and ate some toast and tea! It was a night in memory of Uaneen Fitzsimons.
"I met her a bunch of times. She’d a wicked sense of humour."
He added: "My sincere condolences to her family and friends all over the world.
"You’ll never ever be forgotten. Christy will be there to welcome you! May you finally rest in Peace."
'DEEPLY SADDENED'
TV presenter and fashion designer Brendan Courtney tweeted: "I am so deeply saddened to hear that Sinead has died.
"A human who helped the world see things differently at a personal cost.
"We owe her a great debt for helping drag Ireland out of a grim past & making it relevant on the world stage. RIP #SineadOConnor."
Comedian Dara O'Briain wrote: "Ah shite, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news.
"Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her."
Pop duo Jedward said: "Rest in Peace Sinead O’Connor, very sad to hear the news.
"True Irish icon of our generation!
"We only just met her this year and she was in good spirits, a very welcoming person with a big heart."
Comedian Deirdre O'Kane said: "Rest In Peace Sinead… a nation weeps."
Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said: "Sinead was the biggest star I ever met.
"And I was so starstruck I barely spoke. In many ways a star that shone so bright it was probably hard to cope having that much talent.
"The most beautiful voice, face and aura.
"As an Irish woman growing up in the 90s she was everything, showing girls were cool, Irish women could be recognised globally and shaved heads not just for guys - though not a look I could carry off.
"My mam told everyone who visited Sinead lived on our road - she was our royalty. Rest in peace Queen x."
'NOTHING COMPARES 2 U'
Singer Una Healy said: "Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead. RIP."
Folk band The High Kings wrote: "Nothing compares to You" with a heartbroken emoji.
Writer and broadcaster Louise McSharry said: "Devastated to hear the news about Sinead O’Connor. What a loss."
American rapper Ice-T said: "Respect to Sinead….. she stood for something… Unlike most people…. rest easy.."
In January 2022, Sinead announced that her 17 year-old son Shane had died.
The musician, who vowed never to perform again after his death, told how she kept an empty place at the dinner table for her boy in the wake of his passing.
She said last year: "We have a permanent place set at the dinner table for him with a candle and incense. He is very present. He is love."
Sinead is survived by her three children - Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
The Glenageary native burst onto the music scene in the 1980s, going on to release ten studio albums.
The singer-songwriter famously tore up the Pope’s picture on TV and shaved her head at the height of her career.
And she just recently recorded a new version of the Outlander theme song, currently being used on season seven of the hit show.
She was presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTE Choice Music Awards earlier this year.
LAST APPEARANCE
She dedicated her award for I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got to "each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community".
She added: "You're very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness."
The iconic star was the subject of a new movie Nothing Compares, and also released memoir Rememberings in recent years.
Looking back on her career, Sinead revealed how she shaved her head in a stand-off with her record company before they launched her first album.
Sinead said: "They wanted me to grow my hair long, wear short skirts and high heels and make-up and write songs that wouldn’t challenge anything.
"But I come from a country where there used to be riots in the streets over plays. That’s what art is for.
"There’s a tradition among Irish artists of being agitators and activists — whether they’re playwrights or poets."
And she told how she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on US show Saturday Night Live in 1992 because she had "f* all" to lose.
She said: "They all thought I should be made a mockery of for throwing my career down the drain. I never set out to be a popstar, so I didn’t throw away any career.
"I wasn’t sorry, I didn’t regret it. It was the proudest thing I’ve ever done as an artist. The (critics) killed me but I didn’t die.
"They tried to bury me but they didn't realise I was a seed."
