The world has been paying tribute to Sinéad O'Connor, who died on Wednesday at the age of 56.
Those from the spheres of entertainment, politics and beyond have been remembering the Irish singer.
President Michael D Higgins led tributes following her death, stating that his first reaction "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," President Higgins said.
Sinéad O'Connor at Lourdes in France in 1999, where she was ordained as a priest in the Latin Tridentine Church and adopted the name Mother Bernadette Mary O'Connor. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo"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.
"Her contribution joins those great achievements of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways," he added.
File photo of Sinéad O'Connor. Picture by: RGR Collection / Alamy Stock PhotoTaoiseach Leo Varadkar said her music was "loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare".
Mixed Martial Arts fighter Conor McGregor - who was once welcomed into the ring with O'Connor's voice before a UFC fight - said "the world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel".
He added: "Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend.
"Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure."
The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/9hvpwxuUyP
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 26, 2023
O'Connor's 17-year-old son Shane died last year.
Further tributes rolled in from musicians from all genres, with Bryan Adams saying how much he "loved working with [her] making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats".
Rapper Ice-T said the singer "stood for something... unlike most people".
Ian Brown of rock band The Stone Roses wrote that collaborating with O'Connor was "magical".
US actor John Cusack retweeted several articles relating to O'Connor - including a video of her famous appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1992, when she tore up a picture of then-Pope John Paul II.
— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 26, 2023
The New York Times paid tribute to O'Connor with a piece headlined: The Night Sinead O’Connor Took on the Pope on ‘S.N.L.’
The newspaper said it was a moment "that changed her career."
British indie group Massive Attack said they were "devastated" by the news of her death.
— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) July 26, 2023
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson simply tweeted a picture of O'Connor with a black heart.
— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) July 26, 2023
US singer Belinda Carlisle said: "May she find peace now. Forever loved."
May she find peace now. Forever loved. 💔 #SineadOConnor pic.twitter.com/CEhSHTKn46
— Belinda Carlisle 💙 (@belindacarlisle) July 26, 2023
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf reflected on the "sad news" on Twitter, using the singer's Islamic name.
"Sinéad/Shuhada was a unique musical talent who undoubtedly inspired many people to speak about their own mental health by being so open about her own struggles," he wrote. "Condolences to her family, friends & all those who loved her."
Heavy hearted at the loss of Sinead O’Connor. Wanted to reach out to her often but didn’t.I remember her launch. Astounding presence.Voice that cracked stone with force & by increment. As beautiful as any girl around & never traded on that card. I Loved that about her. Iconoclast
— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) July 26, 2023
Meanwhile, the singer Alison Moyet said O'Connor's voice "cracked stone with force & by increment".
She added: "As beautiful as any girl around & never traded on that card. I Loved that about her. Iconoclast."
Sinéad O'Connor photographed May 2007. Picture by: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock PhotoO'Connor's distancing from the pop mainstream, including her shaved-head look and boycotting of awards, gained her admirers far and wide.
One of her more recent ventures included working on historical drama Outlander, where she was the voice of the opening credits for season seven.
Bear McCreary, the composer of the show's score, tweeted that he was "gutted by the loss", calling her a "warrior poet".
McCreary revealed he had teamed up with O'Connor "writing new songs together, which will now never be complete" and ended his tribute with: "We've all lost an icon. I've lost a friend."
Additional reporting: IRN
