Sinéad O'Connor's funeral hears of legacy of singer and how she suffered in life

The funeral for Sinéad O’Connor has been told she was "gifted with a voice that moved a generation".

The service took place in Bray, Co Wicklow on Tuesday morning.

Thousands packed the streets of Bray as a cortege passed by her former home in the seaside town.

Imam Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri who delivered Sinead O'Connor's funeral prayer, said the service was "moving" and "spiritual."

Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri said: "The funeral was obviously private (for) the family and it was a very moving ceremony and I think it really reflected the beautiful personality of Sinead.

"It was very spiritual and it reflected her Irish identity as well as her Muslim identity.

"So I was with the members of the Muslim community and we performed the Janazah prayer, which is the Islamic funeral prayer, over Sinead."

He also said that O'Connor "never moved away from God" unlike others who have "difficulties and trials" in their lives.

Dr Umar Al-Qadri said: "She was an amazing human being who was not just a great musician, artist, but one that would reach hearts of millions of people because of her voice but also because of the amazing content... She had always had strong faith and conviction in God."

He added: “Gifted with a voice that moved a generation of young people, she could reduce listeners to tears by her otherworldly resonance.

“One need only listen to her a cappella version of Danny Boy or the traditional Irish tune Molly Malone to know this about her gift. Sinead’s voice carried with it an undertone of hope, of finding one’s way home.

“The Irish people have long found solace in song from the sufferings of this lower abode, and Sinead was no exception, and in sharing that solace, she brought joy to countless people the world over.”

Fellow Irish rock singer Sir Bob Geldof was part of the funeral cortege travelling behind the hearse in a taxi.

Fans applauded and threw flowers at the hearse as the funeral cortege made its way along the Strand Road in Bray.

Some people stood on walls outside Sinéad O’Connor’s home - some were seen holding flowers and Irish flags, while police were seen trying to organise the crowds.

A campervan topped with speakers played music from her career, with a murmur of appreciation as Nothing Compares 2 U came on, with many people singing along.

Her family had asked people who wish to say a "last goodbye" to stand along Bray seafront as the cortege passes by before a private burial.

Since her death, people have been leaving flowers and paying their respects at the house, which the singer sold in 2021 and which now lies empty.

"Sinéad loved living in Bray and the people in it," a statement issued by her family 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."

Roads near her former home have been closed so fans can gather and pay their respects.

The President of Ireland said he would attend the private funeral service.

Michael D Higgins said: “The outpouring of grief and appreciation of the life and work of Sinead O’Connor demonstrates the profound impact which she had on the Irish people.

“The unique contribution of Sinead involved the experience of a great vulnerability combined with a superb, exceptional level of creativity that she chose to deliver through her voice, her music and her songs.

“The expression of both, without making any attempt to reduce the one for the sake of the other, made her contribution unique – phenomenal in music terms, but of immense heroism.

“However, achieving this came from the one heart and the one body and the one life, which extracted an incredible pain, perhaps one too much to bear.

“That is why all those who are seeking to make a fist of their life, combining its different dimensions in their own way, can feel so free to express their grief at her loss.”

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