Sinead O'Connor's heartbreaking funeral plans as family brace for 'last goodbye'
The funeral of the late singer Sinead O'Connor is to be held on Tuesday, with people being invited to line the seafront where she used to live in Co Wicklow for a "last goodbye".
The much-loved singer died at the age of 56 in July a year after her beloved son Shane Lunny took his own life in 2022 at the age of 17.
Sharing details of the star's funeral today, Sinead's family said a cortege is to travel along the seafront before a private burial.
It will pass by Sinead's former home on the Strand Road, Montebello, where she lived for 15 years and where people have been leaving flowers since her death.
The Irish Grammy-winning singer, aged 56, was found unresponsive by police at her south-east London home on July 26. News of her death sparked a host of tributes from fans and famous artists from across the world, including Russell Crowe, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Geldof.
Kamala Harris and George Floyd's brother among hundreds at Tyre Nichols funeralSeveral gatherings have also been held in the days since O'Connor's death in Dublin, Belfast and London, where members of the public paid tribute to her legacy as a musician and activist.
A statement issued on Sunday on behalf of O'Connor's family encouraged people to line Bray's seafront from 10.30am for a "last goodbye" to the singer.
"Sinead loved living in Bray and the people in it," a statement said. "With this procession, her family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love for her from the people of Co Wicklow and beyond, since she left last week to go to another place.
"The Gardai have asked that people gather, if they would like to say a last goodbye to the singer, from 10.30am on Tuesday along the Bray seafront."
O'Connor, who was propelled to international stardom in 1990 with her version of the hit Nothing Compares 2 U, was also known for taking fierce stances on social and political issues such as the child abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.
Following her death, her music management company, 67 Management, revealed she had been finishing a new album, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering "opportunities" around a movie of her book before her death.
In her final social media post, Sinead spoke about missing her 'lookalike' son Shane who took his own life in 2022 at the age of 17 after leaving a hospital.
The bereft mum posted: “Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. He was the only person who loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”