Book of condolence opens in Dolores O’Riordan’s native Limerick

A steady stream of people have been signing a book of condolence opened at Limerick City Hall this morning for local people to pay tribute to rock star and Limerick woman Dolores O'Riordan.

One of the first to sign the book was Aedín Ní Bhriain, principal of Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, where O'Riordan attended and studied music under Orla Colgan, who continues to teach music at the school.

“Dolores was heavily involved in music in the school and asked the school choir to sing at her wedding when she got married some years later, so she maintained the links with the school,” said Ms Ní Bhriain.

“Her photo is (on display) up in the music room. Everyone in the (school) choir got a CD of the wedding, and Dolores was very generous with her time then as well.

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“She was always proud of her roots, and of Limerick, and of being a past pupil of our school, so we are here today to remember her fabulous talent and express our sympathy with her family.”

O’Riordan’s massive musical legacy is routinely celebrated in music class and her hugely successful music career is a constant inspiration for students. “I think it’s nice, for the girls who study music at the school, to see that there is a great career path if you follow your star. Dolores was the living embodiment of it, so they can see that it is possible to do that, if that is what they want to do with their lives. They would all be aware of her legacy,” Ms Ní Bhriain added.

To express sympathy

Laurel Hill Leaving Certificate music students Sophie O'Callaghan, Christina O'Brien, and Ciara Deegan, signed the book.

“We’re just here to express our deepest sympathy to the (O’Riordan) family and to show how proud we are of Dolores and her being a past pupil and all she has done and achieved. We all study music and we would listen to her songs and watch her performances. There’s pictures of her in the music room and our teacher Ms Colgan always reminds us that she is a past pupil,” said O’Callaghan.

She said O’Riordan is “definitely” a role model for her and her fellow music students, adding, “we all strive to accomplish what she has.”

Christina O’Brien described O’Riordan as “a great woman”.

She added: “As Sophie said, (our music teacher) always reminds us that Dolores went to our school; she’s very proud of it, and so are we all, that she is from a place that we are as well.”

Ciara Deegan, whose family have been involved in bands in Limerick for decades, said: “I look up to Dolores, because, in the future I want to carry on with music, so she’s a real inspiration, especially in school, as we always watch her performances and listen to her music.”

Mayor of Limerick Stephen Keary, who opened the book of condolences, said: "It's a day of mourning and a day of sadness for Limerick."

“Dolores was an iconic figure in the music world. You didn’t have to be a rock fan to listen to Dolores O’Riordan - it was the richness of her voice that meant so much,” he added.