Mourners turn out to pay respects at Sinead O'Connor's funeral
Thousands lined the streets of Bray
Last updated 8th Aug 2023
Thousands of people have lined the streets of Bray in Ireland for the funeral of singer Sinead O'Connor.
Blue flowers covered the coffin, while mourners threw red and yellow flowers onto the roof of the vehicle, accompanied by a campervan playing her music.
A eulogy at her private funeral has said she "suffered more than her share of hardship and adversity".
Imam Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri 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."
Earlier fans who had gathered outside her home in Bray, Co Wicklow, started singing her hit song Nothing Compares 2 U - fans were seen holding flowers and Irish flags while police were seen trying to organise the crowds.
Ruth O'Shea came with her daughters, Emily and Daisy, to pay their respects to Sinead O'Connor.
Ms O'Shea said O'Connor "meant the world to her" when she was growing up.
"She was so rebellious and empowering and inspiring, and my mother hated me listening to her music.
"And yeah, she was just brilliant. Brilliant - I loved her, and then the kids, I suppose by osmosis because I played her, when they were both growing up, they'd go, 'oh God, mom's listening to Sinead O'Connor, she's obviously had a rough day.'
"She just gave me hope. And I just loved her, I loved her."
The Strand Road in Bray was packed with well-wishers lining the seaside route passing Ms O'Connor's former Irish home, with many holding flowers before the funeral cortege for the singer arrived.