Fresh tributes have been paid to the iconic Limerick singer as the first anniversary of her death approaches.
This week will mark one year since the sudden passing of Dolores O’Riordan, who died in London at the age of 46 last January.
In the wake of her death, the remaining members of The Cranberries confirmed that the group were working on a new album.
Later in 2018, the band announced their intentions to finish the record and to officially split thereafter.
Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler have posted a new note on the Cranberries website, confirming the release of final album In The End while reflecting on their career and the legacy of their fallen leader.
“After Dolores’ devastating and unexpected passing in January 2018, we took some time out and put all plans on hold,” said the trio in a joint statement.
“As time passed, we began to think about how we might best honour our close friend and bandmate. This was a very painful process.
“We remembered how Dolores was had been so energised by the prospect of making this record and getting back out on the road to play the songs live and realised that the most meaningful thing to do was to finish the album we had started with her.”
The note goes on to mention that the band spoke with O’Riordan’s family who agreed that they should press on with In The End.
“It was a very emotional process for us,” the Cranberries continued.
“There were many difficult moments during the recording sessions, particularly the first and last days.
“After the first day we all seemed to be thinking the same thing although we didn’t speak about it; if we didn’t try to put our emotions to one side and focus on the work then we were going to do an injustice to Dolores.
“Knowing that we would never get to play these songs live made it even more difficult. There was also an overwhelming sense of finality knowing that this was the last time that we would be in the same studio together working on a Cranberries album.
“The last track that we wrote was ‘In the End’ and it was then that it really sunk in; this is it, this is the end.”
The final album, expected to arrive this year, is dedicated to O’Riordan’s memory.
“She will be always with us in her music,” the band signed off.
On Sunday, hundreds of fans gathered in Ballybricken in honour of the first anniversary mass of the late singer, with both her mother and granddaughter singing hymns in the church.
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