Dolores O’ Riordan public reposal at Saint Joseph’s Church

January 22, 2018  |  9 Comments  |  by Webmaster  |  Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries

We’re lacking words to describe what we wish we had never seen.
Here’s a few articles describing the first day of mourning:

Thousands of people attended the public reposing of rockstar Dolores O’Riordan in her native Limerick on Sunday

The singer – holding a pair of pearl rosary beads – lay in an open coffin inside St Joseph’s Church in the city. […]
In a tribute normally reserved for Presidents, Popes, and heads of State, O’Riordan’s remains lay in an open coffin in a four-hour public reposing at St Joseph’s Church, in the Treaty City.

O’Riordan’s mother Eileen and her six siblings accompanied her dark wooden coffin into St Joseph’s Church, which was decorated with white roses, photographs of the deeply religious star performing on stage, and of her two separate meetings with the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

Link: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/thousands-file-past-open-coffin-of-dolores-o-riordan-in-her-native-limerick-1.3362941

Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said: “It was very moving to be here, to see the generosity of Dolores’ mother Eileen and other family members, not alone in providing this opportunity ahead of the funeral for the public to pay their respects, but for being there also.”

Link: https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0121/934847-dolores-o-riordan/

 Bishop Leahy said: “In blessing the remains of Dolores O’Riordan here in St. Joseph’s Church in Limerick today, I am conscious that, while millions across the world have been shocked by the sad news of her death, today is Limerick’s public moment to bid farewell.

“We come to offer a heartfelt greeting to a deeply loved and cherished daughter of Limerick, a talented representative of the potential of Limerick people and a convinced advocate of living life in truth, love and peace.

“As we file pass her coffin, let’s remember God’s love and mercy and pray for her, her family and those she loved and helped in life.

“Dolores appreciated the value of spirituality in our lives. She made her First Communion in this church and was confirmed here. She attended the nearby An Mhodh Scoil (Model School) and Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ school. Her spiritual journey continued in many parts of our world, and yet Dolores remained anchored in Limerick. We can be grateful to Dolores’ family for choosing this beautiful church as a venue for her lying in repose.

“Today as the Limerick people she greatly loved come to pay their respects, let us pray for Dolores: ‘May the angels lead you into paradise; and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem, where there will be no more tears, no more death or pain, for the time of heavenly singing has come’.”

Link: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/huge-crowds-pay-respects-as-bishop-leahy-thanks-dolores-oriordans-family-823918.html

Some of the singer’s greatest hits played out in the church while mourners, stood in silence and remembered her in their own personal way.

Others, who were inconsolable in their grief, wept and hugged one another

A floral tribute left next to the singer’s coffin, from her Cranberries bandmates – brothers Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawlor – read: “The song has ended, but the memories linger on.”

Link: https://www.thesun.ie/news/2075853/tearful-mourners-and-fans-of-the-cranberries-singer-dolores-oriordan-queue-in-rain-to-pay-respects-to-the-star-as-three-days-of-mourning-begins/

Her voice filled the building, her band’s songs softly playing in the background throughout the service, as a floral tribute beside the open coffin read: “The song has ended, but the memories linger on.” Along the walls, photos of O’Riordan were placed, including one of the singer posing with the Pope. Four books of condolence were also open for mourners to sign.

Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/dolores-oriordan-death-cranberries-funeral-repose-limerick-church-a8170791.html

LAID out in an open casket with the motif of Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross carved into the oak at either end, a set of pearl rosary beads are threaded through the fingers of iconic rock star Dolores O’Riordan as she lies in repose at St Joseph’s Church in Limerick city this Sunday.

The body of the 46-year-old mother-of-three arrived in a hearse at the church on O’Connell Avenue at 12.10 under grey clouds.

“It’s very sad. The coffin is open – I’m not sure if people were expecting that and she looks so tiny – very peaceful, at rest,” comments Sheila Deegan, ‎Arts and Culture Officer, ‎Limerick City and County Council, on the steps of the church.

Undertakers from Cross’s Funeral Home stand vigil around red ropes which keep mourners a respectful distance from the remains of the global superstar who hailed from the small townland of Ballybricken.

Even death can’t dim the superstar quality of Dolores. A black glittery top peeps out from behind the frills of the casket’s shroud. Dark eyeshadow matches her raven hair. In front of the altar mourners bow their heads. Some say a prayer, some beat their breast, many a tear is shed.

Link: https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/292757/a-star-fell-from-the-sky-the-day-we-got-dolores-o-riordan-thousands-in-limerick-pay-respects-to-iconic-singer.html#.WmSkhF5UU1M.facebook

Her coffin was carried inside accompanied by her mother and family members.

Friends and relatives carried white roses as they entered the Church.

At 1pm her mother Eileen and her six siblings left the church after spending an hour with mourners.

Mourners said silent prayers in front of the open coffin, with many shedding tears as they said their goodbyes. Others visibly broke down as the left the church.

Mourners from all over the world also gathered to pay their respects.

 

Link: https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/the-song-has-ended-but-the-memories-linger-on-mourners-queue-in-rain-to-say-private-farewell-to-cranberries-dolores-oriordan-36513124.html

Link: https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cranberries-singer-dolores-oriordan-laid-11888721

9pm RTE News shows the band carrying the coffin outside the Church, greeted with applause.

The coffin of Dolores O’Riordan, singer with the Cranberries is carried from St. Joseph’s Church after a public reposal in Limerick, Ireland January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Link: https://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/rte-news-nine-oclock-30003250/10829796/

Posted in Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries. Bookmark the permalink.

9 Responses to Dolores O’ Riordan public reposal at Saint Joseph’s Church

  1. Btlly

    What a Beautiful Coffin

  2. Mike Sniadecki

    Very sad brought me to tears as I busted out crying seeing the casket it really hit me and seeing the lads Noel, Mike & Fergal the look on their faces literally broke my heart! God bless her sweet mother for her being generous and letting fans be able to pay their respects! Her family is very nice and it’s so beyond words to see Dolores go it still brings me to tears knowing she is gone so gifted with such a voice sorry for my rambiing on God Bless her family Love you Dolores watch over us all guide us Xoxoxo as my tears will fall so sorry

  3. Daddy Tjeuw

    I am mourning nonstop from JAKARTA INDONESIA.south east asia….

    Your loyal fan since 1994. Dolores…. You will always live in my heart….

  4. Κωνσταντινος Δημητριος Γαλανης

    Her music will live forever. A fan from Greece since 1996.

  5. Yan from the Philippines

    I am deeply sad because Dolores is not here anymore but i pray for her soul that she will be happy in heaven together with his father. God bless. You will always be remembered and not forgotten.

  6. Richard

    The picture of Dolores’ mother looking off to the left with the carving of Mary on the casket looking in the same direction is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I cried when I saw the picture of the boys and Ole carrying her casket. I wish I could have been there to pay my respects. I will visit one day with bouquets of roses and daffodils.

  7. - Paul, Lim WX

    Deepest condolences to Limerick, fans, mother, friends, ex-husband, boyfriend, children, and the remaining members of Cranberries on this extremely tragic loss; this is the end of an era; this death marks the end of 90s music. Her voice is god sent, and has accompanied me through my hardest times for more than 20 years! I love you Dolores O Riordan! I hope that she is in a better place now, watching us now. – Paul, Lim WX

  8. Francesca

    I somehow managed not to cry until now. The final picture of Noel, Fergal and Mike carrying the coffin broke me. It’s real. Farewll, Dolores, che la terra ti sia lieve.

News

Cranberries World (Present - 01/2012) Cranberries Press (01/2012 - 10/2011) Zombieguide (09/2007 - 07/1999)