Latest news with #SineadO'Connor
The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
New Sinead O'Connor waxwork plot revealed after controversial €75k model axed from Dublin museum sparked ‘hideous' fury
THE National Wax Museum has said it will unveil a new likeness of Sinead O'Connor on her third anniversary next year. Museum bosses clashed with Advertisement 4 Museum owner Paddy Dunning said that a team of artists are working together to create the new Sinead waxwork 4 Sinead was found dead in her London flat last July aged 56 Credit: Getty Images - Getty The controversial likeness prompted Sinead's brother John O'Connor going on Liveline to blast it as 'hideous' and 'looking nothing like her'. John said it made his sister look like 'something out of the Thunderbirds'. Now, museum owner Paddy Dunning has revealed that rather than using one sculptor, a team of artists are working together to create Dunning told The Irish Sun: 'I wasn't involved in the process of quality control at the Advertisement Read more on Sinead O'Connor Paddy added: 'I'm qualified to get it right, because I knew Sinead since she was 18 and began her music career. 'I was the very first person to record Sinead in Temple Lane Studios, and I was the last to record her in Grouse Lodge studios in The businessman said he could have speeded up creating a new Sinead likeness in time for her second anniversary on July 26, but he decided to let the sculpting team continue their work. Paddy said: 'We know how important it is to get Sinead right. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Breaking Exclusive Exclusive 'So she won't be in the Wax Museum on display next week when all the fans arrive from around the world. 'But we will be projecting Sinead's image onto the walls outside on the Wall Of Fame in Temple Bar and will be displaying her dress and garments at the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum.' Incredible moment Sinead O'Connor's daughter brings crowd to tears with 'quote' rendition of mum's most famous song The previous Sinead likeness cost €75,000 before it was melted down after intense criticism. The artist responsible, PJ Heraghty, who had successfully created over a 100 waxworks for the museum, said he sensed it would be a disaster when he was first given the job. Advertisement 'DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT' PJ told us: 'No, I didn't want do Sinead O'Connor. That was the gut feeling I had when I was offered the job, and I wish I listened to it. 'I just knew it was going to be problematic to capture somebody as beautiful as Sinead O'Connor and also somebody who so many people connected with.' The He said: 'I started at the beginning of the year, and there were also some health issues which intervened.' Advertisement 'THERE WAS A DEADLINE' The artist said the impending deadline of July 25 meant he didn't have the time he needed to achieve the final details of the likeness. PJ told us: 'There was a deadline, and I also experimented with different methods. That's a dangerous thing to do as a sculptor.' Tragic Sinead was found dead in her London flat aged 56 in 2023. 'We know how important it is to get Sinead right." Paddy Dunning An was a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Advertisement Sinead fans from around the world are expected to descend on Bray, Co Wicklow next week for her second anniversary. They will be making the pilgrimage to her former home on the Coast Road and to a bench dedicated to her outside the Martello Hotel in the town, crafted by artisans from Vale of Avoca and Bray Men's Sheds. 4 Artist PJ Heraghty sensed it would be a disaster when he was first given the job Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin 4 Fans of Sinead were devastated following her death Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sinead O'Connor's devastated dad shares heartbreaking weekly ritual
The father of Sinead O'Connor has opened up about missing the late singer since her death. Sean O'Connor was speaking ahead of her second anniversary on July 26, 2023. The 87-year-old admitted he cried every day for two weeks when he learned of his daughter's sudden death at her apartment in London in 2023. He said: "When Sinéad passed, I cried my eyes out for a fortnight. I still miss her," he told Oliver Callan on his RTE Radio 1 show on Thursday. "Of course it's a comfort (the outpouring of grief by the public), but Sinéad had two personas. One was in the public arena and the other was with her family and I saw her funeral as being lovely for her fans. "At a personal level, I've never had publicity in respect of Sinéad and it made it all the more hurtful for all of us when she died.' Sean said he visits her grave every week and 'brings her up to date'. "I visit her grave every week... and we have a conversation and I bring her up to date. I put my hand on her gravestone which is designed by my daughter Eimear. It's very simple, it just says 'Sinead O'Connor'. Two dates - born and died and 'God is love'. It's more to do for her fans.. with the family, it is in the heart." When Callan said it was "very difficult, as a dad", Mr O'Connor agreed. The radio presenter asked what he did for Sinéad when "the fame part was cruel to her", and he replied: "You can't do anything except be there. "Sinéad could be outrageous in the public world and she could be outrageous in the family, she could be cranky. In the end I always had compassion for her, she was always on the edge. We got on very well, most of the time, sometimes she'd fall out with me." Sinead O'Connor (Image: David Corio/Redferns via Getty Images) He also recounted the happy memory of the last time he saw Sinéad when they took a three-night holiday in Wexford and said that having so much family around him helped when she died. "It was a sad time, the extent of the family around me helped," he added. Last year, an inquest revealed that the mother-of-four died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma. The 56-year-old was found unresponsive by officers at her apartment in London. Two weeks before she died, she told her fans that she had recently moved back to London after a 23-year absence - and she was "very happy to be home". She said she was finishing an album that was going to be released this year - and planned to launch a world tour spanning Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Campaign ME
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Gen Z and Gen Alpha demand authentic connection, not cringe campaigns
Sinead O'Connor: In the relentless pursuit of relevance, brands are aggressively trying to capture the attention and loyalty of Gen Z and the newly emerging Gen Alpha. But whilst billions are poured into campaigns every year, are we actually speaking to this audience, or simply at them? Rather than speculating from the outside, we went straight to the source. Samar is a bright 16-year old currently with us on work experience, so we asked her one big question: 'What do brands consistently get wrong about your generation, and what do they need to understand to truly connect?' In this piece, Samar offers her candid insights on effective engagement with her and her peers. If we want to better market to their generation, it's time we listen. Samar Shaibani: It's no surprise to us, the younger generations, to see another minute-long advert with flashy colours and scripted dialogue. We have grown up online and seen it over and over again. More often than not, I find myself watching a thirty-second video of an influencer trying their new makeup routine over a brand's own thirty-second ad. We are no longer excited or interested in the same old campaigns or repetitive products disguised as 'new'. To be honest, it's inauthentic. Seeing Dior launch the same 'Jadore' perfume to a new edition of Nike Tech being released hasn't exactly sparked conversations or captivated our attention. Speak my language Brands try to reach me through teen-speak when it often comes off as cringe and awkward. Seeing a brand use terms like 'bae' and 'baddie' gives me second-hand embarrassment. It just reminds me of how detached they are from me. Rather than building a genuine connection, it disregards our cultural values and beliefs. This, paired with meaningless content and a lack of representation of social and ethical issues, is an immediate turn-off. We are not a passive audience. On the contrary, we care. We notice ignorance about issues surrounding us and want brands that resonate with our values and speak to us like our equals. Rather than brands maximising their profit by minimising their risk, we need brands that are willing to take a risk for us. This traditional advertising also misses where most younger generations truly hang out: TikTok. Traditional adverts rely on perfect visuals that often feel out of place. What is successful now is understanding. We need relatability and transparency to be immersed in and connect with brands Authenticity shapes aesthetics We are driven by influencers and their authenticity as well as their need to be helpful to us. Many large influencers follow mass trends, chasing the 'going viral reward', while micro-influencers are the ones most important to us. These creators highlight a community, frequently sharing their routines and replying to comments. I feel satisfied with their suggestions and would trust them with my life instantaneously. They cater to what speaks to us the most: an aesthetic. Their aesthetic isn't bland and focused on visuals, but rather it's a lifestyle. When brands authentically collaborate with them, it doesn't feel like a promotion, but a recommendation. Aesthetics have been a large influence on us, from the 'coquette' to the 'chic'. When a brand makes a specific aesthetic for their brand identity, it becomes incredibly successful through our interest and captivation. I have the urge to be consumed by that specific aesthetic being portrayed. I need it injected into my veins. Marketing for us, not to us Take 'Rhode' by Hailey Bieber, for example. Her brand has a focal point on the 'clean girl' aesthetic and its association with being put together, classy and effortlessly minimalistic. This aesthetic isn't compatible with a mass audience. However, it flourishes in the target demographic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rhode skin (@rhode) The BoldxCollective marketing agency has acknowledged this, saying: 'The brand's minimalistic packaging, sleek branding, and the promise of fresh, hydrated skin align with a generation's desire for authenticity.' Alternatively, Duolingo is self-involved in TikTok culture. They are incredibly aware of our sense of humour and present their personality authentically. I actually laugh at their posts, losing hours scrolling through their page and their funny comments replying to us. Even if they don't have a focal point of being aesthetic, we feel like they resonate with our perspective, creating a strong connection between them and us. Gen Z and Gen Alpha want brands to stop marketing to us but rather for us. We need a change towards transparency, risk, and authenticity. We need you to change to cater to our needs, stop being cautious and take that leap of faith. Connect with us. Trust us. We don't want to see picture-perfect adverts, we need originality. By Samar Shaibani, Grade 12, Dubai English Speaking College and Sinead O'Connor, Senior Director, Current Global MENAT
Irish Daily Star
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Inside Sinead O'Connor's relationship with son Shane before their tragic deaths
The music world was mourning the loss of Sinead O'Connor, whose cause of death was revealed six months after her passing, which followed the devastating loss of her son. The 56-year-old singer was found "unresponsive" in her London residence in July 2023 , and authorities have now confirmed she passed away due to natural causes. The iconic voice behind "Nothing Compares 2 U" was not under any suspicion by the police, and she was "pronounced dead at the scene". Her death came a year and a half after the heartbreaking suicide of her 17-year-old son, Shane Lunny, who disappeared in January 2022. Read More Related Articles Mick Jagger had brutal reaction when he saw The Beatles perform live for first time Read More Related Articles Sam Heughan admits he will miss element of Outlander after season 8 filming wrapped David Holmes, a producer collaborating with O'Connor on her yet-to-be-released 11th album, reflected in a documentary about her life: "Even though Sinead was this incredibly resilient survivor, I totally believe that people can die of a broken heart.", reports the Express . Shane, whom Sinead lost custody of in 2013, vanished while under suicide watch at Tallaght Hospital. Sinead O'Connor had a close relationship with her son (Image: (Image: GETTY)) His body was found shortly after he went missing, and the grief-stricken singer announced his death on X, previously known as Twitter. She expressed her sorrow with the words: "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." Sinead O'Connor was a mother to four children from four different fathers, whom she described as "unusual, intelligent, loving, compassionate, spiritually advanced, funny, worthwhile, hard-working human beings" in her memoir titled "Rememberings". Shane was the third child Sinead O'Connor had with music producer Donal Lunny, with whom she collaborated on one of her albums. Sinead expressed: "It was produced by Dónal Lunny, as was my third child, Shane. If we had not made this album, we would not have made our beautiful son." She also mentions in her memoir "Rememberings" that Shane is "the child who is most like me, I believe, to look at and by nature." After his passing, Sinead shared a heartfelt message on social media, calling him "the love of my life, the lamp of my soul." Sinead O'Connor is remembered for her work in the music industry (Image: (Image: GETTY)) In her tribute, she penned: "We were one soul in two halves," and "He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him." A week following Shane's tragic discovery, Sinead checked herself into a hospital after posting worrying messages online, stating "I've decided to follow my son. There is no point in living without him". Sinead's own funeral took place on August 8 in County Wicklow, where she resided for over a decade. This week brought news of a tribute concert set to celebrate both Sinead and her dear friend, the late Shane MacGowan, who passed away in November. The memorial concert, scheduled for March at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall, will see performances from acts including Dropkick Murphys, Cat Power, Mountain Goats, and Glen Hansard.
New York Times
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
11 Songs to Keep St. Patrick's Day Going
Image Sinead O'Connor Credit... Paul Bergen/Redferns, via Getty Images This year St. Patrick's Day was on a Monday, a particularly cursed fate for a holiday associated with merriment. I propose extending the celebration all throughout the week — a feat of endurance that will require the proper soundtrack. Today, I offer you just that. This playlist contains tracks from 11 very different artists from Ireland.* It features some interpretations of traditional Irish tunes from legends like the Pogues (I'll get to their origins in a moment) and the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem; a few superstars who put Irish rock on the global map in the 1980s and '90s (U2 and the Cranberries); and some younger upstarts refreshing Irish sounds for a new generation (the imaginative post-punk group Fontaines D.C. and the raucous rap trio Kneecap, whose 2024 biopic I highly recommend). Whether you're playing this while sipping a pint of Guinness or trying to conjure that pub atmosphere within the secrecy of your headphones, I hope this playlist keeps you in the St. Patrick's Day spirit all week (and maybe even all year) long. Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake, Lindsay *Before you email me about their exclusion, a friendly reminder that the Dropkick Murphys are from Massachusetts. As for Hozier, well … something tells me that there are at least a few other playlists out there where you can hear his music. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
