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Updated 11.30am
THE FUNERAL MASS for Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan has heard that she was a “special daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin”.
The homily, by Canon Liam McNamara at St Ailbe’s Church in O’Riordan’s home parish of Ballybricken in Limerick, said that “no words are adequate to describe the influence for good she has been over the years”.
“Her kind personality and beautiful singing voice earned for her numerous admirers,” McNamara said of the singer, who died suddenly in London last week.
It must be added that the numbers she rescued from the darkness of depression are impossible to count.
Several symbols of O’Riordan’s musical life were brought to the altar by her niece Eileen, a life-long friend Teresa, her nephew Patrick, and another life-long friend Breffni – a guitar, a platinum disc award, and a picture of Our Lady of Dolours, whom she was named for, and a book of poetry.
“She did have a unique respect for everybody,” the Canon said. “Coupled with that respect, her kind, loving and generous heart made her a source of great hope to the Church during its stormy years.”
He described his first meeting with the singer, who went on to become one of Ireland’s best-know faces around the globe: “(It) was in 1989. The memory is indelibly written on my mind.”
There she is, sitting at the keyboard, playing and singing with the choir in this lovely Church of Saint Ailbe. She possessed a very special singing voice – a talent worth its weight in gold.
“Intelligent girl that she was, she knew well that she should develop and use that talent.”
“This is a difficult day not just for Ballybricken, but for the world,” he continued.
It is a sad day for Eileen (Dolores’ mother) and for the entire O’Riordan family. For all those who possess the strong faith of Eileen, they know well that we have not lost that gifted and talented singer. Now she is singing in the heavenly choir – hymns of petition for us. Yes, being human we shall miss her gentle hand-shake, her loving smile.
“If tears are shed in heaven – by necessity they are tears of joy. Yes, tears of joy, following an excellent performance by Dolores, in the most important and vital gig of all – the gig of life itself.”
Sing-song in remembrance
Last night, hundreds of people took to the streets of Limerick City yesterday evening to take part in a sing-song to remember The Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan.
People gathered together in Arthur’s Quay park to pay tribute to their homegrown talent O’Riordan, who passed away on Monday 15 January.
The 46-year-old singer was found dead in the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane in London last Monday morning. An inquest into her death will take place on 3 April.
Last night’s event was organised by locals musicians Paula McSweeney and Jane Fraser. Dozens of other musicians and singers led the crowd to sing as they played instruments to accompany.
Limerick native and musician Emma Langford, who provided the video above, said the event was electric.
“I just wanted to stand back and take in the atmosphere last night, to be honest. It was electric,” Langford told TheJournal.ie.
“The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up for a full hour. It was such a gorgeous organic event, Limerick people coming together in our hundreds to celebrate the life of one of our own,” she said.
Earlier yesterday, President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to O’Riordan at her removal service.
“It’s so sad, profoundly sad, that someone so young is taken from us, but it’s equally important to pay tribute to the work and the importance of the music,” Higgins said.
It is to the incredible credit of all those who have appreciated the music, the songs, the performances and the band, that they have come out in such numbers to make their tribute.
“It’s so appropriate and it is generous, and I hope that her family will get all the support they need.”
RTÉ News / TwitterDolores O’Riordan “was a star that shone bright from the very beginning,” says President Higgins pic.twitter.com/GSf068sW5w
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 22, 2018
O’Riordan will be laid to rest today in Limerick.
The Limerick icon will be buried at a private family burial following a funeral at the Church of Saint Ailbe, Ballybricken at 11.30am today.
Canon Liam McNamara, a family friend, will be chief celebrant of the Mass which will be attended by family, neighbours, friends and by the local community.
As the church has a limited capacity, attendance is strictly reserved for family, relatives and parishioners only.
Additional reporting Cianan Brennan
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Missleading headline makes it look like it was in ireland.
It doesn’t, You assumed wrong.
The hashtag is London, which is visible on all apps and desktop in the same way the headline is.
Cheers and Happy Christmas
:)
Miaow
in fairness its an irish news site so unless stated its reasonably safe to presume its ireland,little dull hashtags of which there are several doesnt make it plain to see
It is the main hashtag, which appears beside the headline in both the apps and desktop. Thanks!
Do people still use hashtags nowadays?
head up sinead keep up the good work
I’ve never noticed hash tags until now and tag is not shown when you look at list of news stories, London should have been in headline as I too presumed nightclub was in Ireland.
say it a third time wont make it any more prominent
Why is a shooting in a London nightclub news?
Because there was a shooting in a London nite club
But Ireland doesn’t care
One of hundreds in London. Why does this particular one make Irish news?
Lads if you “don’t care”, don’t click the bloody article and proceed to read it, then comment on it to have a moan.
Some of us have an interest in the world outside of Ireland.
Alright Holly, calm down… Don’t be getting your knickers in a twist
@green burqa.. didnt think nightclubs opened in ireland on christmas day.
I despair at the amount of bullies on this site with nothing better to do.
It was a good article Sinéad, well done! :)
Why cant u use ur real name so
I looked at the headline and assumed it couldn’t be Ireland, but seeing as this is an Irish news portal I just clicked in to be 100% sure. Regardless of hashtags, which I for one don’t look at, it is a completely misleading headline but that’s normal enough for this site. A custom we should be all used to, in fairness!
Happy Christmas anyway!
Lots of Us have Family and Friends in London.
The journal. UK
Dot co dot you Kay
Yaya Yaya Toure Kolo Kolo Kolo Kolo Toure Yaya Yaya To…. *gets shot*
Maybe because there are more Irish people living in London than in most Irish counties.
Typical England.
This one didn’t even make London local news! Common place here in London to be honest.
Hi Lucie,
In fact, it did. Was reported by all the British press, including BBC, Sky etc. And the London Evening Standard. Christmas Day shootings will generally make the news, even if shootings are quite common the rest of the year. Sad state of affairs though that it wouldn’t be news :(
Sinéad
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