Thousands of fans have gathered in Limerick to say goodbye to Dolores O'Riordan, the lead singer of the Irish band The Cranberries.
On Sunday, Jan. 21, the county began its three days if mourning the passing of one of its most famous children. Thousands of fans have lined up outside of the St. Joseph's Church to say goodbye to the beloved music icon.
The "Linger" and "Dream" singer lie in an open coffin, holding a pearl rosary, in a public reposing. Her remains will be at the Cross' Funeral Home until Monday, Jan. 22.
Love From All Over The World
Fans from all over the world, including Spain and China, flew to Limerick this weekend to see, for the last time, the world-renowned singer-songwriter. According to The Irish Times, people battled the freezing rain and gushes of wind to form a queue along Barrington Street into Quinlan Street to pay their respects.
"She was so lovely, so peaceful, so beautiful," one fan who saw the remains of O'Riordan stated. "She looked like a doll.
"Dolores has lots of fans in China," shared some Chinese fans of the The Cranberries singer. "The most famous singers in China have similar styles to [O'Riordan]; they learn from Dolores and they are influenced by her. I'm really sorry for Dolores' family's loss. It's so real, and unreal, to see her lying there in the church."
Some of O'Riordan's greatest hits were played inside the church while mourners cried, hugged each other, and stood in silence in front of the late singer. A floral tribute from Noel and Mike Hogan of The Cranberries stand beside her coffin.
Love From Limerick
Eileen O'Riordan, O'Riordan's mother, said that the people of Limerick have provided great comfort and emotional support since reports of the singer's passing surfaced. In a message to The Independent, Eileen thanked everyone who remembered her daughter.
"The people who queued to sign the book of condolence — some of them standing in the rain — it has meant a huge amount to us and has been a great source of comfort," she said.
On Jan. 15, O'Riordan was found dead for unknown reasons in her hotel room in London. She was 46 years old. The police later ruled that the case was not being treated as "suspicious." The singer will be buried in Caherelly Cemetery on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 11:30 p.m. beside her late father, Terry, who died of cancer in 2011. The family has requested to keep the funeral private.
