After the singer’s passing on Thursday at the age of 56, her final public image and words were made public.

She passed away 16 months after her son Shane, who had battled mental illness for years, died in January of last year at the age of 17 after going missing from Tallaght Hospital.

She tweeted a picture of Shane and the following statement on July 17: “Been living as undead night creature since… He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.

“We were two parts of one soul. The only person who has ever shown me absolute affection is him. Without him, I am lost in the bardo.

In March, she was shown accepting the Classic Irish Album prize at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize in Dublin, which served as her last public appearance.

As she accepts the honor, she can be seen grinning and giggling with the crowd.

Over the years, O’Connor’s vocal opposition to misogyny, abuse, and “uncomfortable truths” — particularly in the 1980s and 1990s — earned her iconic status in Ireland.

She experienced issues with her mental health, revealing in 2007 that she had received a bipolar disorder diagnosis four years earlier on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Following the announcement of her passing, tributes flowed in as celebrities, politicians, and fans remembered the adored icon.

The atmosphere in her native Ireland, according to Irish TV host Brendan Courtney, is comparable to that following Princess Diana’s passing.

“We’re very shocked – the outpouring is unbelievable,” he said to Nick Ferrari of LBC. “It’s like we lost a troubled daughter before we could tell her how much we loved her,” one person said.

Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, expressed his regret after learning about Sinéad O’Connor’s loss. Her skill was matchless and unrivaled, and her music was adored all around the world.

The world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel, according to Irish mixed martial champion Conor McGregor.

“Ireland has lost one of our very best voices, by far, and an iconic one. Additionally, I lost a friend. The music of Sinead will endure and keep inspiring! Sinead, may you rest in peace; I’m sure you’re at home with your kid.

The singer’s family released the following statement on Wednesday: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the demise of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are inconsolable and have asked for privacy during this extremely trying time.

She gained international notoriety in 1990 thanks to her moving cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U.

Bryan Adams, a Canadian singer-songwriter, stated that he “loved working with [her] making photos, doing gigs in Ireland with her, and chat.”

The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, the band’s lead vocalist, said of the woman: “She did not compromise and it made her life more of a struggle. I’m hoping she’s at peace.”

“Respect to Sinead. She stood for something,” US rapper Ice-T stated. not like most individuals… Take it easy.

Her three kids are still living. Her 17-year-old son Shane passed away last year.

There aren’t many news stories that will stop practically every Irish person in their tracks, according to TV host and journalist Conor Pope. One of them is the extremely depressing news. A great vocalist from this or any generation has passed away.

One of the first to pay respects was the Irish comedian Dara O’Briain, who posted online: “Ah s****, Sinead O’Connor has passed away. Just incredibly awful news all around. Stupid thing. I hope she understood how much we loved her.

She wrote: “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,” in her statement announcing her son’s passing last year. May he rest in peace and may others not emulate him. My child. I adore you a lot. Be at peace, please.

She received the first Classic Irish Album award at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards earlier this year.

For the 1990 hit song “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” she received a standing ovation. She dedicated the award to “each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community.”

Ireland is happy to have you. During a rare outing in front of the public, she stated, “I love you very much and I wish you happiness.

She posted on her website in 2012 that she was “very ill” and had experienced a breakdown at the end of 2011.

However, she claimed in 2014 that she was not bipolar and that hormone replacement therapy after a hysterectomy was to blame for her mental state.

The power ballad Nothing Compares 2 U, which peaked at number one in 13 different countries, served as her breakthrough single in 1990.

The legendary music video for the single was shot with a close-up of Sinead’s face as she sang and cried in a black polo neck. In a prior interview, Sinead claimed that the tears in the video were real.