Sinéad O’Connor’s friend and former neighbour has paid tribute to the “extraordinary” singer, following her tragic passing.
The songstress was pronounced dead at the age of 56 on July 26, after being found “unresponsive” at a residence in London – where she had recently moved.
Following the news of her death, Claire Foley, who previously lived near Sinéad in the Wicklow village of Knockananna, has revealed how she befriended the musician during the pandemic.
Sinéad moved to a thatched cottage in the area in July 2020, where she developed a small group of local friends.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Claire recalled: “I do a lot of walking in the area and I was passing Sinéad’s house one day and noticed that she had posted her telephone number on the front door, so I took it down and rang it.”
“If I remember correctly, when I rang, she wasn’t there and was gone back to her house in Bray. I told her who I was and explained that I lived just across the road and said that if she ever needed anything, she could contact me.
“I probably would have said to her, at the time, that I wasn’t sure if it was the best idea to have her number on the door, but she wasn’t fearful! And she wouldn’t have to be in Knockananna, because the people were so welcoming to her and gave her the privacy she needed.”
“She was delighted that someone from the locality had contacted and welcomed her, so I brought her some scones and brown bread, which she absolutely loved. Our friendship just sort of developed from there,” she continued.
“I’d get messages for her or just call in to have the chats if she was anxious. I always found her to be a very warm and genuine, lovely person.
“She was very compassionate, and we had an instant connection. We were drawn to each other, I suppose.”
Claire also revealed Sinéad’s son Shane, who tragically took his own life last January, visited her often.
“I remember one evening going in with some scones I had made for her and, as I walked up the path to her front door, hearing herself and Shane playing the guitar,” she recalled.
“The music coming out of the house was just something else – just magic.”
“She wouldn’t have gone out socialising much while she was here in Knockananna, because of the pandemic, but the one event she did have was in her house when she launched her book.
“She had a little dinner party with a friend from RTÉ, me and another lady – Jude. We had a lovely evening together and took lots of photographs.”
Sinéad clearly trusted her pal Claire, as she was also the first person she asked to read the finished copy of her memoir ‘Rememberings’.
“I remember when she gave me the first copy and said to me: ‘You’re the first person that’s going to get to read it’,” she said.
“It was such a big honour to be asked. After I had read it, Sinéad asked me if I enjoyed it and I told her I had never laughed so much in all my life! It was a very, very good read.
“She stayed in Knockannana up until Shane passed, which was so tragic, having spent the guts of three years in the locality, and I was sad to see her go.
“I just feel so fortunate to have been able to spend some time with such a gorgeous soul. She was a beautiful human being, both inside and out, and I feel privileged that I got to meet such an extraordinary person.”
Sinéad’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and the results of her autopsy could take “several weeks”.
The beloved songstress, who shot to fame in the 90s for her cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, is survived by three of her children – – Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
The musician, who changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 after converting to Islam, released 10 studio albums during her career.
The news of Sinead’s death came over a year after her 17-year-old son Shane took his own life in January 2022, after he left a hospital in Dublin – where he had been admitted for care.
At the time, she wrote on social media: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God.”
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
In one of her last tweets, which was posted on July 17, 2023, Sinead posted a photo of herself and Shane and wrote: “Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.”
“We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022.
Been living as undead night creature since. . He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him pic.twitter.com/aC8BOmLQ9N— Sinead Marie-Bernarde Aoibheann O’Connor (@786OmShahid) July 17, 2023
Following her son’s passing last January, the singer cancelled her scheduled gigs for the rest of the year.
A statement released by her management at the time said: “We would like to respectfully announce that due to continuing grief over the tragic loss of her beloved son Shane earlier this year, Sinead O’Connor will not be performing live in 2022.”
The singer’s management added that it was not “an easy decision”, but it was necessary for her “own health and wellbeing”.
The statement continued to thank Sinéad’s worldwide agency ICM, who handled the situation “with the utmost respect and dignity,” and thanked “local and international promoters” for the continued “support and understanding.”
Her management team concluded, “Thank you also to Sinead’s friends and fans whose support and understanding we hold in the highest esteem throughout this period.”
“The love being shown has been a source of great comfort and peace for Sinead.”
Her last public appearance took place back in March, when she was presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards.
Sinéad O’Connor last March.
Via RTE Choice Music. pic.twitter.com/MiYnJqBjIX— Martine St-Victor (@MartineMontreal) July 26, 2023
Sinead received a standing ovation at the event, as she dedicated the award to “each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community”.
“You’re very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness,” she said.
In 2021, the songstress released a memoir called Rememberings.
The following year, a docu-film called Nothing Compares, directed by Kathryn Ferguson, was released about her life.
