WATCH: Michael D Higgins lauds Dolores O'Riordan at funeral in Limerick
"She was a star that shone bright from the very beginning."
President Michael D. Higgins was among the hundreds paying tribute to the late Irish musician Dolores O' Riordan in County Limerick today at the internationally-admired singer's removal.
Family, friends and fans of O'Riordan and her music travelled to rural Ballybricken on Tuesday where her funeral service was held at St Ailbe’s Church.
The late Cranberries lead singer was found dead in a hotel in London last week. She was 46 years of age.
President Higgins told reporters why it was important for him to be there:
“I think it's very important to pay tribute to the contribution Dolores made, and I also wanted to meet her mother Eileen and her fabulous huge family of nephews and nieces who were very important to her.”
“It's so profoundly sad that someone so young is taken from us, but it's equally important also to pay tribute to her work and music.
"It is also to the incredible credit of all those who have appreciated the music and the songs and the performances and the band, that they have come out in such numbers to make their tribute.
"It's so appropriate and it is generous, and I hope that her family will get all the support they need.”
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins speaks after paying respects at repose of Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan in Limerick today https://t.co/ILWWtnxkqE via @rtenews pic.twitter.com/E7qPpctRms
— RTÉ (@rte) January 22, 2018
He went on to mention the immense pride she brought to her home county of Limerick.
“Limerick is very very proud of her. As her teachers have been saying, she was a star that shone bright from the very beginning, and I wish her peace. Our sympathies go out to her mother Eileen and her family.”
O'Riordan was laid to rest after the ceremony alongside her late father Terry in Caherelly Cemetery in St Ailbe’s Church, Ballybricken.
