SINÉAD O’CONNOR has been remembered as “wise and visionary” following her death at the age of 56. 

Her death was confirmed in a statement from O’Connor’s family to RTÉ who said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead.

“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time,” a statement added.

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the beloved singer, offering his condolences to her father, John, her other family members and “all those with whom she shared her life”.

Sinéad O’Connor had recently recorded a new theme for historical TV drama Outlander, working with composer Bear McCreary, who wrote on Twitter: “I am gutted by the loss of #SineadOConnor.

“She was the warrior poet I expected her to be — wise and visionary, but also hilarious. She and I laughed a lot. We were writing new songs together, which will now never be complete.”

Sinéad O'Connor in Dublin in 1989 Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Sinead O'Connor performing at a concert in Germany in 1990 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Sinéad O'Connor Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Kris Kristofferson comforting Sinéad O’Connor after she was booed off stage during the Bob Dylan anniversary concert at New York Madison Square Garden on 17 October 1992 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

She spoke at an abortion demonstration on Dublin's O'Connell Street on 22 February 1992 Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Sinéad O'Connor with Paddy Moloney from The Chieftains on 31 March 1995 Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

In 1999, Sinéad O'Connor was ordained as a priest by a bishop from an independent Catholic group and announced that she wanted to be known as Mother Bernadette Mary Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Many conversations had… Many songs sung… Many laughs had and dances danced…

Thank you for these beautiful memories Sinéad… ❤️💫

So terribly sad…

Suaimhneas síoraí agus codladh sámh… ❤️#nothingcompares pic.twitter.com/kAdwlurLJ1

— Fiachna Ó Braonáin (@fobraonain) July 26, 2023

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We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you 🙏 Sinead for your love and your friendship and your compassion and your humour and your incredible music. We pray that you are at peace now with your beautiful boy. Love Victoria and Shane pic.twitter.com/BOxkZZNXyX

— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) July 26, 2023

Singer-songwriter Burning Spear performs with Sinéad O'Connor at the Jammy Awards in New York on 26 April 2005 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Sinéad O'Connor arriving at The Late Late Show on 16 March 2012 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

She headlined the Cambridge Folk Festival in August 2014 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Sinéad O'Connor performing live on stage at Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on 4 July 2015 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Sinéad O'Connor announced in October 2018 that she announced she had converted to Islam. Here, she performs live at Hiroshima Mon Amour in Torino, Italy on 19 January 2020. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

She performed at August Hall in San Francisco on 7 February 2020 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo